Spherulitic Superstructure and Morphology of Poly(ethylene oxide)-Lithium Perchlorate Complex

The morphology of solid polymer electrolytes based on PEO-LiClO4 complex was investigated by polarized optical microscopy (POM). The spherulitic structure derived from POM suggested that the ion induces different spherulitic structures. An interesting turning point of salt concentration has been found. At the turning point, the complex was amorphous. The melting point, size, and growth rate of the spherulite decreased with increasing of salt concentration before the turning point and began to increase after the turning point. The multi-phase structure of the complexes have been deduced and proved by X-ray diffraction. POLYM. COMPOS., 29:1297-1300, 2008. (C) 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers