Physically Crosslinked Solid Polymer Electrolytes: Beyond Polyethylene Oxide

In this work, different types of electrolytes have been prepared for his application in energy storage batteries. First of all, a process optimization work was carried out for solid electrolytes of ethylene polyoxide (POE) matrix, with pseudo-solid behavior due to the effect of the addition of a modified sepiolite with succinate of D-α-tocoferol-polyethyleneglycol (TPGS-S), searching an improvement of the electrical properties and structural stability, in addition to a greater reproducibility. A great mixing is achieved that provides a greater solid character to the electrolytes and allows the reduction of the percentage of reinforcement without losing properties even reducing 5 times the processing time. Because of the poor ionic conductivity that is calculated for the Li+ in the electrolytes of POE, caused by its ability to complex lithium, tests are carried out with a new matrix of Polycaprolactone (PCL) with physical properties very similar to POE, without obtaining promising results. Finally, the first steps are taken towards a new processing type in a high shear toroidal reactor, that simplifies the processing and provides greater control of the variables of de processing, such as humidity and temperature.