New Class of Single-Ion-Conducting Solid Polymer Electrolytes Derived from Polyphenols

New polyphenols containing ether substituents have been prepared by enzymatic polymerization of the corresponding phenol monomers. The polyphenols were reacted with lithium hydroxide to obtain lithium polyphenolates (LPF-1 and LPF-2) which have been characterized as a new class of lithium ion sources for rechargeable lithium batteries. A number of solid polymer electrolytes were prepared by mixing these salts with a high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide). High ionic conductivities were observed for the electrolytes derived from lithiated polyphenol containing pendant triethylene glycol monomethyl ether groups.