CONDUCTING POLYMERS - NEW FRONTIERS AND PROSPECTIVES

The properties and the applications of ionically-conducting polymers, commonly termed polymer electrolytes, are here briefly described. The initial efforts in the area directed to the development of highly-conducting new systems are illustrated and the results which have led to the availability of novel polymer electrolytes having conductivity of the order of 10(-3) S cm-1 at room temperature are discussed. However, emphasis is also given to the fact that high conductivity is not the sole requirement for a successful electrolyte since also the stability towards the electrode materials plays a very relevant role. Consequently, the problems of the electrode interfaces in the various types of polymer electrolytes are examined and the present knowledge of the passivation phenomena is reviewed. Finally, the most promising applications of the polymer electrolytes in the area of plastic-like, thin-film lithium batteries and in solid-state laminated, electro-chromic devices, are evaluated.