Structure and lithium transport phenomena in a new tripodand-grafted polysiloxane

New polymeric host for Li+ cation-conducting polymer electrolytes has been described. Poly(methyl(2-tris(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)silyl)ethyl)siloxane) trimethylsilyl terminated, average molecuar weight 19 100, has been synthesized by catalytic hydrosilylation reaction between a polysiloxane and appropriate vinyl-functionalized tripodand-type silane. On the basis of the obtained macromolecule a flexible polymer electrolyte membrane has been prepared by dissolving appropriate amount of lithium salt (LiPF6) in the polymer matrix. Relation between the molecular structure and lithium cation conduction mechanism has been studied and discussed in terms of temperature dependence of specific conductivity and lithium cation transport number. The issue of decoupling of cationic mobility from polymer segmental motions has been addressed and discussed on the basis of solid state 7Li NMR measurements.