Structure and ionic conductive properties of polydioxolane–polyurethane-based electrolytes

A series of polyurethanes (PUs) with different polyether soft segments [polydioxolane (PDXL), polyethylene glycol (PEG), or PDXL/PEG] were synthesized successfully, and solid polymer electrolytes based on PU/LiClO4 complexes were prepared. The relations between structure and the ionic conductive properties of the PU-based electrolytes were investigated by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, and complex impedance analysis. Results showed that the glass-transition temperature (Tg) of PDXL–PU was lower than that of PEG–PU. Doped lithium perchlorate (LiClO4) salt could be dissolved well in soft segments of PDXL–PU. The ionic conductivity of the PDXL–PU/LiClO4 complex could reach a value of 2 × 10−5 S/cm at room temperature without the addition of an organic plasticizer. The system with PDXL/PEG as a soft segment had a higher Tg and a lower ionic conductivity than the one with PDXL as a soft segment. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 103–111, 2002