Lithium ion transport and ion–polymer interaction in PEO based polymer electrolyte plasticized with ionic liquid

The polyethylene oxide (PEO) based lithium ion conducting polymer electrolytes complexed with lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (LiCF3SO3 or LiTf) plasticized with an ionic liquid 1-ethyl 3-methyl imidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate (EMITf) have been reported. Morphological, spectroscopic, thermal and electrochemical investigations demonstrate promising characteristics of the polymer films, suitable as electrolyte in various energy storage/conversion devices. Significant structural changes have been observed in the polymer electrolyte due to the ionic liquid addition, investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and optical microscopy. The ion-polymer interaction, particularly the interaction of imidazolium cation with PEO chains, has been evidenced by IR and Raman spectroscopic studies. The optimized composition of the polymer electrolyte i.e. PEO25.LiTf + 40 wt.% EMITf offer room temperature ionic conductivity of ~ 3 × 10− 4 S cm− 1 with wide electrochemical stability window and excellent thermal stability. The ‘σ versus 1/T’ curves show apparent Arrhenius behavior below and above melting temperature. The ionic conductivity has been observed due to Li+ ions, as confirmed from 7Li-NMR studies, though the component ions of ionic liquid and anions also contribute significantly to the overall conductivity.

► Effect of ionic liquid addition on the PEO-based electrolyte properties is reported.
► PEO-LiCF3SO3-IL films are thermally and electrochemically stable electrolytes.
► FTIR and Raman studies confirm the ion-polymer, particularly EMI+-PEO interaction.
► Material offers Li+ and EMI+ transport along with substantial contribution of anions.