Phase stability of Li-ion conductive, ternary solid polymer electrolytes

The chemical-physical properties of a ternary solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) system consisting of poly(ethylene oxide) and two salts, namely lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) and the ionic liquid N-methyl-N-butyl-pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (Pyr14TFSI), are reported in this work. The ternary phase diagram shows the composition limits of the thermodynamically stabilized amorphous phase where the polymer electrolyte achieved the maximum conductivity. The important conductivity threshold of 10−3 S cm−1 at 40 °C is exceeded for these compositions. Two reasons for the high conductivity are identified; the decreased overall coordination to the Li+-ion and a Tg as low as −67 °C. Also presented is the thermal stability characterization of such polymer electrolytes. The amorphous phase seems to be thermodynamically unfavored; however, the recrystallization process is slow.