In situ study of ionic conductivity for polyether–LiCF3SO3 electrolytes with subcritical and supercritical CO2

In situ measurements of the ionic conductivity were performed on polyethers, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(oligo oxyethylene methacrylate) (PMEO), with lithium triflate (LiCF3SO3) as crystalline and amorphous electrolytes, and at CO2 pressures up to 20 MPa. Both PEO and PMEO systems in subcritical and supercritical CO2 increased more than five fold in ionic conductivity at 40 °C composed to atmospheric pressure. The pressure dependence of the ionic conductivity for PEO electrolytes was positive under CO2, and increased by two orders of magnitude under pressurization from 0 to 20 MPa, whereas it decreases with increasing pressure of N2. The enhancement is caused by the plasticizing effect of CO2 molecules that penetrate into the electrolytes.