Cellulose triacetate: A new material for polymer gel electrolyte

Several gel electrolytes were prepared from 1-methyl-1-propylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and cellulose triacetate according to the molar ratios between cellulose triacetate, ionic liquid, and LiTFSI. The optimal gel ingredient was recognized by measuring the unique melting point with DSC and optically confirmed by SEM in order to obtain a ternary gel phase. The ionic conductivity of the gels containing LiTFSI was much higher than those of the gels without LiTFSI. FTIR study showed that cellulose triacetate interacts with Li⁺ ions via their carbonyl functional groups, which might helps fast ionic conductivity. With good ionic conductivity and excellent mechanical stability, cellulose triacetate gel electrolyte was strongly recommended to be investigated further for an application in Lithium batteries. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 2008 AIChE Spring National Meeting (New Orleans, LA 4/6-10/2008).