Poly(bis-methoxyethoxyethoxy phosphazene)(MEEP) and cryptand[2.2.2] (crypt) have been intercalated separately into sodium exchanged montmorillonite (Na-mont), and impedance spectroscopy indicates that ionic conductivities of the resulting nanocomposites (log σ = -7.6 (Ω•cm) -1 for MEEP/Na-mont and log σ = -8.1 (Ω•cm) -1 at 100°C) are enhanced by several orders of magnitude over the parent Na-mont. Intercalation is demonstrated by powder x-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy. 23 Na and 29 Si MAS NMR spectra give evidence that the interlayer Na + are solvated by the intercalated ethers. FTIR spectroscopy, 13 C NMR spectroscopy and 1 H NMR spectroscopy indicate that cryptand intercalates preferentially to MEEP when a mixture of the two is stirred with Na-Mont.Solid state electrolytes are the subject of increasing interest because of their potential in technical applications and for fundamental questions regarding conduction mechanism. Our group, as well as others, has been heavily involved in the exploration of polymer ion conducting systems such as poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) / lithium triflate (LiS0 3 CF 3 ) complexes (7), poly(bis-methoxyethoxyethoxy phosphazene) (MEEP) / LiS0 3 CF 3 complexes (2), and poly(oligoether aluminosilicate) polyefectrolytes (3). The focus of study has shifted as understanding of structure of polymer electrolytes and mechanism of ion transport has developed. The topic of this paper, nanostructured clay intercalation compounds, represents a new direction in solid electrolytes (4-6).
Polymer-Salt Complexes and PolyelectrolytesResearch on solvent-free polymer-salt complexes accelerated after the pioneering studies of PEO-alkali metal salt complexes conducted by Armand (7,5) and Wright (9-11).