%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 <p>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.</p>