Polymer networks for ionic conduction: a new family based on polysaccharide precursors

Abstract

Abstract A brief review is given of the fundamental features determining the behavior of amorphous polyethylene oxide‐based networks as polymer electrolytes containing ionic moieties in terms of two basic issues affecting the ultimate optimum ionic conductivity, viz. the factors determining the extent of ionic dissociation and those influencing the ionic mobility. These generalizations deduced from previous studies on a variety of systems allowed the elaboration of a new family of structures based on polysaccharides crosslinked with polyethylene oxide and grafted with polyether chains. The preliminary results dscribed in this paper are promising in view of the application of these materials in solid‐state batteries because of their good electrochemical properties combined with mechanical strength and film‐forming aptitude.