STRUCTURE CONDUCTIVITY RELATIONSHIPS IN DIVALENT POLYMER ELECTROLYTES

The potential influence of averaging caused by spherulite morphology on local structures deduced from EXAFS studies of crystallisable films is discussed. Evidence is presented to show that only high-melting, polymer-salt complexes interfere significantly with studies of the ionic environment within the amorphous conducting region. The possible modifications to the amorphous matrix that could result from the proximity of spherulites are considered. Results are presented for EXAFS studies of the local environment surrounding Zn in PEO(n).ZnBr2 (n = 4,8) prepared by three different drying procedures, at room temperature, -20-degrees-C and -70-degrees-C. Structural differences between amorphous and glassy forms were observed. The results suggest the presence of neutral ZnBr2 entities.