Preparation and Characterization of Cyanoethylated Polyvinylalcohol- and Polyacrylonitrile-based Electrolytes.

New-type polymer electrolyte films based on poly(acrylonitrile), (PAN), and cyanoethylated poly(vinyl alcohol), (CNPVA), were prepared and their conducting behaviors and structures were investigated. CNPVA was prepared from poly (vinyl alcohol) and acrylonitrile in the presence of sodium hydroxide and quaternary ammonium halide as a phase transfer catalyst. Free standing PAN- and CNPVA-based electrolyte films were prepared by casting the propylene carbonate (PC) solution containing PAN, CNPVA and LiClO4 and removing some amount of PC. The ionic conductivity of the electrolyte film, (PAN) 10(CNPVA) 10(LiClO4)8(PC)4 composite film, was 1.46 x 10-2 S cm-1 at 30°C and 2.24 x 10-2 S cm-1 at 60°C. FT-IR results for the electrolyte films suggest that the nitrile groups in the CNPVA matrix strongly interact with the lithium ions in the films and enhance the dissolution of the lithium salt in the electrolyte films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]