Solid Polymer Electrolytes Derived from Polyphenols

The objectives are the preparation and evaluation of new solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs), derived from polyphenols, which may be used in the development of improved light-weight solid-state lithium batteries that supply a high number of watt-hours in a small volume. Two types of phenol monomers containing polyether or perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid segments para to the phenolic function will be synthesized. The former will be obtained by partial O-alkylation of hydroquinone, while the latter will be prepared by ring-opening of perfluoropropane sultone by 4-lithionanisole. Enzymatic polymerization of these monomers will be carrier out and both resulting polymers (I and II) will be lithiated prior to building a lithium laboratory cell. Another polymer (III) which contains both polyether and perfluorosulfonic acid moieties, will be prepared by O-alkylation of Polymer-II. The polyether segments will provide increased solubility and permit generation of an ion-conducting region for formation of a Li ion complex. The perfluoroalkylsulfonic acid segments in Polymer-Ii will reduce the basicity of phenoxide ion, while contributing to stabilization of lithium complex. The SPEs derived from these polymers should exhibit high ionic conductivity and improved mechanical properties.