Mechanical properties of polyether-plasticiser-salt systems as polymer electrolytes

The mechanical properties of urethane crosslinked poly(ethylene oxide-co-propylene oxide) glyceryl ether-plasticiser (tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether, or methylformamide)-salt (LiClO₄)-based polymer electrolytes have been studied. It was found that, with increasing concentration of salt, the elastic modulus and tensile strength of the materials unexpectedly decrease. This is interpreted in terms of a predominance of intramolecular coordination of the Li⁺ ions by the polymer.