A novel lithium single ion based polyurethane electrolyte for light-emitting electrochemical cell

Light-emitting electrochemical cell (LEC) was fabricated with poly(para-phenylene vinylene) (PPV), as light-emitting material and lithium ion conducting waterborne polyurethane ionomer (WPUI) as solid electrolyte. We report the current–voltage-light output characteristics, morphology and ion transport behavior of the device. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) has been performed to reveal the ionic and electronic contributions of current. The threshold voltage for electrochemical doping of PPV in ITO/WPUI+PPV/Al device was evaluated. Scanning force micrograph of blend of WPUI with PPV is presented. The alternating current (ac) impedance analysis was made in the frequency range 1 MHz to 1 Hz to bring out the impedance changes with applied (bias) dc potentials. Results demonstrate that WPUI can be used as a single component electrolyte in LEC fabrication in contrast to two components (polymer and lithium salt) used earlier.