Synthesis and characteristics of a silicon-containing polymer, manufacture of an electrolyte membrane from the polymer and poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropene), and property testing of the membrane

A silicone-containing polymer was synthesized by addition polymerization between 1,12-bis(3-methyl-3-oxetanyl)-2,5,8,11-tetraoxadodecane and dichlor-ide dimethylsilane catalyzed by tetrabutylammonium bromide and was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H-NMR, gel permeation chromatography, and differential scanning calorimetry analyses. To manufacture a tough solid electrolyte membrane, various amounts of a poly(vinylidene fluoride-co- hexafluoropropene) copoly-mer was used to reinforce this silicone-containing polymer. The mechanical properties and compatibility of the resulting membranes were assessed by mechanical testing and scanning electron microscopy observation. The ionic conductivity was assayed from an alternating-current impedance spectrum. The results reveal that the maximum ionic conductivity reached 7.4 × 10S/cm at 30°C and 2.6 × 10 4S/cm at 80°C, respectively. Additionally, the linear sweep voltammetry tests showed that this kind of the blended polymer electrolyte was electrochemical stable until 4.3 V. The thermogravimetric analysis measurements also implied its good thermal stability.