Transport property of novel sono-catalysed LiCF3SO3doped SiO2 PEG ormolyte

Transport property of a novel sono-catalysed LiCF 3 SO 3 doped SiO 2 –10 wt% PEG ormolyte is reported. The ormolyte was synthesized by sol–gel method by varying the LiCF 3 SO 3 concentration [Li/O] from 0 to 0.1 in mole. The composition with [Li/O] = 0.05 exhibited the highest conductivity (σ 25°C = 2.4×10 −4 S cm −1 ) with an enhancement of 10 3 from that of the host matrix: SiO 2 –10 wt% PEG sono gel and has been referred to as `optimum conducting composition (OCC)'. The direct determination of Li + ion mobility (μ)/mobile ion concentration ( n ) indicated that the enhancement was due to the increase in μ and n both. The temperature dependence of σ, μ and n were carried out for the OCC samples in order to evaluate the respective energies involved in different thermally activated processes and to understand the ion transport mechanism. The ion transference number ( t ion ) measurement inferred the ions as the sole charge carriers of the system. The results have been discussed in the light of existing theories.