Recent Trends in Polymer Electrolytes Based on Poly(Ethylene Oxide)

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Abstract
Recent work on the crystallographic and morphological structure of semicrystalline PEO complexes with alkali metal salts is described. The thermal properties of the materials and the influence of solvent on complex formation is also considered. The dependence of the ionic conductivity of the complexes on their morphology, the temperature and ionic association is discussed and some current work relating to the mechanism of conduction is considered. The various strategies which have been adopted to suppress crystallinity and so to optimize ionic conductivity, including networks, “comb” structures, and linear copolymers, are reviewed. The morphological organization and mesogenic behavior of some novel crystalline complexes of PEO with organo-alkali salts, such as sodium phenolates and naphtholates, are discussed. Some PEO composite materials which have mixed electronic-ionic mechanisms of conductivity are also described.