Synthesis of New Solid Polymer Electrolytes

60550 The chemical and thermal instabilities of liquid electrolytes have hampered the performance of lithium batteries in terms of power and energy density, cycle and self life, and safety. While solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) have the potential to overcome these problems, some of their electrochemical properties, such as ionic conductivity, are not satisfactory for high performance lithium batteries. This project will develop a new class of solid polymer electrolytes, dendrimer solid polymer electrolytes, for lithium-based batteries. These dendrimer SPEs will be designed to have superior electrochemical properties required for high performance lithium-polymer batteries. In Phase I, the dendrimer SPEs were synthesized and processed into films, their electrochemical and mechanical properties were evaluated, and superior electrochemical properties were observed. In Phase II, the properties of the dendrimer SPEs will be optimized, the preparation will be scaled-up, and the new films will be evaluated for full battery cell performance. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Lithium-polymer batteries have extensive applications in commercial products including electric and hybrid vehicles, radios, telephones, video cameras, laptop and hand held computers, power tools, and other consumer products. Military applications include energy storage for the all-electric ship and aircraft, electric weapons, spacecraft, and probes.