Abstract
Waterborne polyurethane as a new polymer electrolyte was synthesized by using relatively hydrophilic polyols. The morphology of polyurethane was changed as it was dispersed in water. In contrast to polyurethane ionomer, waterborne polyurethane did not form an ionic cluster but produced a binary system composed of hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups. In the colloidal system, the former and the latter existed at outward and inward, respectively. Waterborne polyurethane was prepared from poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) /poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) copolymer, 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate(MDI), ethylene diamine as a chain extender, and three ionization agents, 1,3-propane sultone, sodium hydride and lithium hydroxide. PEG/PPG copolymer was used for suppressing the crystallinity of PEG and N-H bond was ionized for increasing the electrochemical stability of polyurethane. Low molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(ethylene glycol dimethyl ether) (PEGDME) were used as plasticizers. DSC, FT-IR and $^1$H-NMR of the waterborne polyurethane were measured. Also, the ionic conductivity of solid polymer electrolytes based on waterborne polyurethane and various concentrations of low molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol) or PEGDME were measured by AC impedance.