Polymerization behaviour of butyl bis(hydroxymethyl)phosphine oxide: Phosphorus containing polyethers for Li-ion conductivity

Synthesis of phosphorus containing polyethers and their lithium-ion conductivities for the potential use as solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) in high-energy density lithium-ion batteries have been described. Co-polymerization of butyl bis(hydroxymethyl)phosphine oxide with three different dibromo monomers were carried out to produce three novel phosphorous containing polyethers ( P1 – P3 ). These polymers were obtained via nucleophilic substitution reactions and were characterized by 1 H, 31 P NMR spectral data and gel permeation chromatography. SPEs were prepared using polyethers ( P1 and P2 ) with various amounts of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI). The lithium-ion conductivity of SPE2 containing 40 wt% of LiTFSI was 2.1 × 10 −5 S cm −1 at room temperature and 3.7 × 10 −4 S cm −1 at 80°C. Graphical Abstract Solid polymer electrolytes having good ionic conductivity and possible flame retardant property for application in larger lithium-ion batteries were prepared using phosphorus containing polyethers wherein phosphorus atoms are present in the main polymer chain.