Novel electrolyte system: Porous polymeric support filled with liquid electrolyte

Abstract

In this article, a novel electrolyte system composed of both porous polysulfone film and a propylene carbonate/LiClO4 liquid solution occupying the pore is suggested. Porous polysulfone acts as a support which imparts a good mechanical property and accommodation of a liquid electrolyte, Using this approach, we could enhance the conductivity and mechanical property of the polymer electrolyte simultaneously. The maximum conductivity of this system was 3.93 X 10(-3) S/cm at room temperature. The conductivity seems to be significantly affected by the amount of the uptake of the liquid electrolyte and also by the surface characteristics of the porous polysulfone. The path for ionic conduction is effectively formed with the increase in the uptake of the liquid electrolyte. Low-surface porosity and high-surface roughness is believed to reduce the ionic conduction. However, the denser surface layer of the support showed retarded evaporation of propylene carbonate under reduced pressure, indicating superior long-term stability. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.