EFFECT OF SALT CONCENTRATION ON THE IONIC-CONDUCTIVITY OF AMORPHOUS POLY(ETHYLENE OXIDE) SODIUM-SALT COMPLEXES

Amorphous poly(ethylene oxide) (aPEO) is prepared by the oxy-methylene linkage of PEG400 and complexed with NaI and NaClO4 with a range of stoichiometries, aPEOxNaAn, x = 15-150. Transmission IR spectra and X-ray diffraction data indicate that the aPEO and all salt complexes prepared are amorphous at ambient temperature. The complexes are characterized by impedance and dc methods, with bulk conductivities determined from 263 to 343 K. A broad conductivity maximum is obtained at low salt concentrations for each series. Ionic conductivities on the order of l0(-4)-10(-5) S cm-1 are observed at ambient temperature. Arrhenius plots of the data indicate VTF behavior between T = 293 and 343 K.