New highly conductive organic–inorganic hybrid electrolytes based on star-branched silica based architectures

Abstract

A new type of organic–inorganic hybrid electrolyte has been developed by a sol–gel process through the reaction of cyanuric chloride with poly(oxyalkylene) diamine and 3-isocyanatepropyltriethoxysilane, followed by co-condensation of 2-[methoxy(polyethyleneoxy)propyl]trimethoxysilane. A maximum ionic conductivity of 1.0 × 10−4 Scm−1 at 30 °C has been achieved with the solid hybrid electrolyte. The results of solid-state NMR not only confirm the structural framework of the hybrids, but also provide a microscopic view of the effects of salt concentrations on the dynamic behavior of the polymer chains. The hybrid materials are blended with PVdF-HFP to form the blend hybrid membrane, followed by plasticization with various electrolyte solvents, with the purpose of increasing ionic conductivity. The plasticized blend hybrid electrolyte exhibits a maximum room temperature ionic conductivity of 8.8 × 10−3 Scm−1. Such a high ionic conductivity allows it as a potential candidate for applications in lithium ion batteries.