Investigation of New Polymer Electrolytes

in Massachusetts used Accelrys' Materials Studio software to investigate new solid polymer electrolyte materials for lithium-polymer solid state fuel cells. Success in this research would offer new chemistries for battery engineers and scientists, and result in new, high rate lithium-polymer systems with greater specific power. An example of the structure of a polymer used in this study. The development of a truly solid state lithium battery is dependent upon the successful identification of a suitable solid polymer electrolyte. The lithium polymer system is the first true solid state battery, which is viewed by many as the future of the rechargeable battery market. Lithium-polymer batteries under development include cells with both the lithiated carbon anode or a lithium metal anode. At present the types of polymers being considered for use in the solid polymer electrolytes (SPE) are derivatives of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). This is the earliest polymer to show promise for this application, but is limited in its scope because of the chemistry of the polymer's ether oxygens (EO) and lithium cations. Development of new polymers would facilitate the exploration of improved ion conduction mechanisms. Many now feel that the coordination of the lithium cation to the EO is part of the "fast process" in