EPSRC logo

Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/S76120/01
Title: Ionic Conductivity in Crystalline Polymer Electrolytes
Principal Investigator: Bruce, Professor P
Other Investigators:
Tunstall, Dr D
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Chemistry
Organisation: University of St Andrews
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 October 2004 Ends: 31 May 2010 Value (£): 511,866
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Energy Storage Materials Characterisation
Materials Processing Materials Synthesis & Growth
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Electronics
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
There is a great deal of interest in polymer electrolytes because they hold the key to realising truly all-solid-state rechargeable lithium batteries for applications in consumer electronics, medical devices and hybrid electric vehicles. The level of conductivity achieved by amorphous polymer electrolytes has proved insufficient. Crystalline polymer electrolytes represent an exciting new direction which may yield levels of conductivity sufficient for applications. The present proposal will lay a foundation of fundamental understanding concerning these materials. Such a foundation is essential if the full potential of crystalline polymer electrolytes is to be developed.For 25 years ionic conductivity in polymer electrolytes was considered to occur only in amorphous polymers above the glass transition temperature Tg, crystalline polymer electrolytes were believed to be insulators. We have helped to overturned this conventional view and have demonstrated that the crystalline polymer electrolytes, poly(ethylene oxide)6:LD(F6, where X = P, As, Sb not only conduct but do so better than the analogous amorphous phases! This is an interesting breakthrough which defines a new direction in polymer electrolyte research. The aim of the present application is to develop a fundamental understanding of crystalline polymer electrolytes. In particular we seek to understand how ions move in these materials, especially the role of chain ends within the crystal structure, to investigate the role of doping in order to enhance ion conductivity and to study the interface formed between crystalline polymer electrolytes and electrodes typically used in lithium batteries.
Key Findings
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Potential use in non-academic contexts
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Impacts
Description This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Summary
Date Materialised
Sectors submitted by the Researcher
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.st-and.ac.uk