Preparation and characterization of a hybrid solid polymer electrolyte consisting of poly(ethyleneoxide) and poly(acrylonitrile) for polymer-battery application

For application in an ambient temperature solid state lithium battery a highly dimensionally-stable polymer electrolyte based on polyethyleneoxide (PEO) suffers from low ionic conductivity, whereas a highly conducting gel electrolyte based on polyacrylonitrile (PAN) suffers from low dimensional stability. In order to overcome these problems, a hybrid solid polymer electrolyte (HSPE) was prepared using PEO, PAN, propylene carbonate (PC), ethylene carbonate (EC) and lithium perchlorate. The HSPE films were highly conducting as well as dry, free-standing and dimensionally-stable. The films were characterized by constructing symmetrical cells containing nonblocking lithium electrodes and also blocking stainless steel electrodes. Investigations were carried out on ionic conductivity, electrochemical reaction, interfacial stability and morphology of the films. The properties of HSPE were compared with the films prepared using (i) PEO and LiClO₄ and (ii) PAN, PC, EC and LiClO₄. The results suggest that the HSPE is a potential electrolyte material for application in a polymer-battery