FT-IR studies on interactions of AlCl3 with PEO-NaSCN polymer electrolytes

Solid polymer electrolytes are potentially useful electrolytes to be applied in high-energy batteries. In the present work, a novel polymer electrolyte, polyethylene oxide (PEO)-NaSCN-AlCl₃, was prepared and investigated by FT-IR spectroscopic techniques. Based on the FT-IR data, the bands in the CN stretching envelope have been assigned and the effect of AlCl₃ on ion-ion and ion-polymer interactions in the polymer electrolyte has been examined. It is shown that the Lewis acid-base interaction of AlCl₃ with SCN¹⁻ leads to the formation of the complex anions AlCl₃SCN⁻ and Al₂Cl₆SCN⁻, depending on the content of AlCl₃ and/or NaSCN in PEO; the preferential interactions of AlCl₃ with crystal complex P(EO)₃NaSCN occur in PEO-NaSCN-AlCl₃ electrolytes; the AlCl₃-NaSCN complex anions can play a plasticization role in PEO-NaSCN-AlCl₃ electrolyte, and are expected to be a important factor to improve the conductivity and to enhance the cation transference number. In addition, the interactions between AlCl₃ and ether oxygen of PEO were analyzed, and their effect on ionic association was also discussed.