SYNTHESIS OF BLOCK COPOLYMERS BASED ON OXYETHYLENE CHAINS AND THEIR USE AS POLYMER ELECTROLYTES

High-molecular-weight copolymers were prepared consisting predominantly of oxyethylene and oxymethylene-oligo(oxyethylene) blocks with a small 1-phenylethylene block. Crystallisation of the oxyethylene block was little affected by its copolymeric environment and, at room temperature, this resulted in a tough material. The crystallisation was detrimental to the low-temperature conductivity of copolymer/salt mixtures. Mixtures with CF3SO3Li show conductivities comparable to the best recorded for other polymers and copolymers.