Zeolitic Inorganic-Organic Polymer Electrolytes: a material based on poly(ethylene glycol)600, SnCl4 and K4Fe(CN)6

This report describes the synthesis of a new zeolitic inorganic-organic polymer electrolyte with the formula [FexSny(CN)zClv(C2nH4n+ 2On +1)K1]. This material is based on poly(ethyleneglycol) 600, SnCl4 and K4[Fe(CN)6], and is obtained via a sol-gel transition. Mid and far Fourier Transform infrared (FT-IR) studies, analytical data and X-ray Photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) investigations allowed us to conclude that this material is a mixed inorganic-organic network in which Fe and Sn are bonded by CN bridges and tin atoms by PEG 600 bridges. Mid-infrared (MIR) FT-IR investigations demonstrated that the polyether chains assume a conformation of the TGT (T = trans, G = gauche) type. Micrographs of the compound obtained by scanning electron microscopy reveal that its morphology resembles a smooth gummy paste. The conductivity of the material at different temperatures was determined by impedance spectroscopy (IS). Results indicated that the material conducts ionically and that its conductivity is strongly influenced by segmental motion of the polymer network. Finally, this network shows a conductivity of ca. 3.7x10-5 S/cm at 25°C.