PAN-based gel electrolyte with lithium salts

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based polymer electrolytes containing lithium triflate and using propylene carbonate (PC), and propylene carbonate and ethylene carbonate in different volume ratios as the solvent have been investigated in the present study. The electrical conductivity of lithium triflate in the single and binary solvent mixtures has been determined in the 0-80 degreesC and the solvent compositions showing maximum value of room temperature conductivity have been identified. The effect of salt concentration and temperature on conductivity value has also been studied. The addition of PAN has been found to result in gel formation and viscosity increases with the increase of PAN content. The high value of room temperature conductivity (similar to mS cm(-1)) of these gel electrolytes is suitable for use in various solid state ionic devices. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.