Molecular architecture for polyphosphazene electrolytes for seawater batteries

A series of polyphosphazenes were designed to function as water resistant, yet ionically conductive membranes for application to lithium/seawater batteries. In membranes of this nature, various molecular architectures are possible and representatives from each possible type were chosen. These polymers were synthesized and their performance as solid polymer electrolytes was evaluated in terms of both lithium ion conductivity and water permeability. The impact of this molecular architecture on total performance of the membranes for seawater batteries was discussed. Further implications of this molecular architecture on the mechanisms of lithium ion transport through polyphosphazenes were also elucidated. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 230th ACS National Meeting (Washington, DC 8/28/2005-9/1/2005).