Effects of inert fillers on the mechanical and electrochemical properties of lithium salt-poly(ethylene oxide) polymer electrolytes

The effects of adding an inert filler (α-alumina) to lithium perchlorate-poly(ethylene oxide) polymer electrolytes have been investigated. It was found that additions of 10 vol. % α-alumina had a negligible effect on the ionic conductivity of the polymer but gave a significant improvement in the mechanical stability of the material at temperatures in excess of 100°C. A.C. measurements on samples containing 0 and 10 vol. % α-alumina gave values of 0.2 to 0.3 for the transport number of the lithium ions between 110 and 130°C.