Enhanced ion conductivity of poly(ethylene oxide)-based single ion conductors with lithium 1,2,3-triazolate end groups

Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based single ion conductors (SICs) are of great interest for applications in modern lithium ion batteries. They have several advantages over other common electrolytes such as high cation transference numbers, low toxicity, and nonflammability, but their major disadvantage is the low ion conductivity. Here, linear PEO-based SICs with lithium 1,2,3-triazolate (TrLi) end groups are synthesized and studied in terms of crystallinity by differential scanning calorimetry, and with respect to ion conductivity by impedance spectroscopy. Introduction of TrLi end groups to PEO chains reduces its crystallinity and melting temperature as well as an enhancement of the ion conductivity up to 8.0·10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹ at 70°C is observed. The increased ion conductivity is a direct result of the Tr rings, which can actively contribute to the conduction mechanism. In comparison with conductivities of other PEO-based SICs reached so far (σ₀ ≤ 10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹), the results of this study show that the introduction of TrLi end groups is a new approach to enhance the Li⁺-ion conductivity of PEO-based SICs that have also a good electrochemical stability versus lithium electrodes as revealed by linear sweep voltammetry. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 46949.