International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A poly(ether urethane) (PEUR)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/SiO2 based nanocomposite polymer is prepared and employed in the construction of high efficiency all-solid-state dye-sensitized nanocrystalline solar cells. The introduction of low-molecular weight PEUR prepolymer into PEO electrolyte has greatly enhance the electrolyte performance by both improving the interfacial contact properties of electrode/electrolyte and decreasing the PEO crystallization, which were confirmed by XRD and SEM characteristics. The effects of polymer composition, nano SiO2 content on the ionic conductivity and I3- ions diffusion of polymer-blend electrolyte are investigated. The optimized composition yields an energy conversion efficiency of 3.71% under irradiation by white light (100 mW cm-2).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The spontaneous ionic polymerization of 4-vinyl-pyridine in presence of mono-tosylated or bromated short chains of poly(ethylene oxide)-(PEO) is used to prepare amorphous comb-like poly-cations with low Tg. The polymer electrolyte properties of these new structures have been studied without any addition of salts. The ionic conductivity of these fixed cation poly-electrolytes depends on the length of the grafted PEO and varies from 10{sup -7} to 10{sup -4} S/cm between 25 and 80 deg. C. It is only weakly dependent on the nature of the cation but it is controlled by the movements of the pyridinium cation which are facilitated by the plastifying effect of the POE chains which do not directly participate to the ionic transport. (J.S.) 17 refs.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The phase transition behaviour of polyethylene-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PE-b-PEO) diblock copolymer with relatively short chain lengths has been studied on the basis of temperature dependent infrared and Raman spectral measurements and synchrotron WAXD/SAXS simultaneous measurements, from which the concrete structural changes were deduced successfully from the various levels of molecular chain conformation, chain packing mode and higher-order structure. The higher-order structure has been found to transform between lamella, perforated lamella, gyroid, cylinder and sphere structures. The inner structural changes occurring in the polyethylene and poly(ethylene oxide) parts have been related with these morphological changes. The morphological transition from lamella to gyroid occurs with keeping the crystalline state of polyethylene parts. This apparently curious transition can be interpreted reasonably by assuming the thermally-activated chain motion in the crystal ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lithium metal-polymer electrolyte batteries with improved utilisation of the active material at a moderate-low temperature (65degC) were realised. Low molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG, MW=2000) was used as the lithium-ion conductive matrix in the composite cathode. The cathode active material was crystalline V{sub 2}O{sub 5}. A blend of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO, MW=4x10{sup 6}) and PEG was used as a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE). The transport properties of the SPE were evaluated at various temperatures. A specific conductivity as high as 1.0x10{sup -4} S cm{sup -1} was calculated at 45degC. The temperature dependence of the interfacial resistances between lithium/SPE and cathode material/PEG was evaluated. The lithium/SPE interfacial resistance decreases linearly with the temperature. The charge transfer resistance between cathode material and PEG reaches a minimum at 60degC and it does not decrease with a further temperature increase. The data ...