%0 Journal Article %K lithium battery %K polymer electrolyte %K nanostructure %K self-assembly %A Gao Liu %A Melanie T Reinhout %A Gregory L Baker %B Solid State Ionics %D 2004 %G eng %P 721-724 %T Nanoscale lithium ion conducting polyethylene oxide with self-attached insulating layers %V 175 %3 liu group %8 11/2004 %X

We report a new family of self-assembling nanostructured polymers for potential application as electrolytes in rechargeable lithium batteries. The ester groups of these amphiphilic methacrylate polymers are oligoethylene oxide segments terminated by a linear alkyl chain. The ethylene oxide segments are amorphous providing good lithium salt solubility and ionic conductivity, while the terminal alkyl segments crystallize and provide dimensional stability. The polymers self-assemble into nanometer-thick lamellar structures with alternating layers of conductive ethylene oxide and insulating alkyl layers.