High performance PEO-based polymer electrolytes and their application in rechargeable lithium polymer batteries

Solvent-free, lithium-ion-conducting, composite polymer electrolytes have been prepared by a double dispersion of an anion trapping compound, i.e., calyx(6)pyrrole, CP and a ceramic filler, i.e., super acid zirconia, S-ZrO₂ in a poly(ethylene oxide)-lithium bis(oxalate) borate, PEO–LiBOB matrix. The characterization, based on differential thermal analysis and electrochemical analysis, showed that while the addition of the S-ZrO₂ has scarce influence on the transport properties of the composite electrolyte, the unique combination of the anion-trapping compound, CP, with the large anion lithium salt, LiBOB, greatly enhances the value of the lithium transference number without depressing the overall ionic conductivity. These unique properties make polymer electrolytes, such as PEO₂₀LiBOB(CP)_0.125, of practical interest, as in fact confirmed by tests carried out on lithium battery prototypes.