A novel PEO-based composite solid-state polymer electrolyte with methyl group-functionalized SBA-15 filler for rechargeable lithium batteries

Functionalized molecular sieve SBA-15 with trimethylchlorosilane was used as an inorganic filler in a poly(ethyleneoxide) (PEO) polymer matrix to synthesize a composite solid-state polymer electrolyte (CSPE) using LiClO₄ as the doping salts, which is designated to be used for rechargeable lithium batteries. The methyl group-functionalized SBA-15 (^fSBA-15) powder possesses more hydrophobic characters than SBA-15, which improves the miscibility between the ^fSBA-15 filler and the PEO matrix. The interaction between the ^fSBA-15 and PEO polymer matrix was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. Linear sweep voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were employed to study the electrochemical stability windows, ionic conductivity, and interfacial stability of the CSPE. The temperature dependence of the change of the PEO polymer matrix in the CSPE from crystallization to amorphous phase was surveyed, for the first time, at different temperature by Fourier transform infrared emission spectroscopy. It has demonstrated that the addition of the ^fSBA-15 filler has improved significantly the electrochemical compatibility of the CSPE with a lithium metal electrode and enhanced effectively the ion conductivity of the CSPE. Dedicated to Professor Oleg Petrii on the occasion of his 70th birthday on August 24th, 2007.