Ion Conduction in Oriented Domains in Poly(ethylene-oxide)-Polyethylene Systems

The ionic conductivity of LiSO3CF3 complexed with wax-like solids of the general form H-(CH2)32 (CH2CH2O)10-H were investigated. The conductivity of the waxes studied in this work should be dependent on the shape of the domains. Conductivity measurements were made perpendicular, σ⊥, and parallel, σ, to the direction of molecular orientation. Depending on the size of the conducting domains, an anisotropic conduction behavior was observed. The size and distribution of the domains was changed by adding a second wax with formula of H-(CH2)29-H, making the ion conducting volume smaller. At elevated temperatures, these domains were disrupted, reducing the conductivity.