Abstract: Li-ferrierite (Li-FER) fine powder was prepared via an ion exchange process using lithium ions to replace the hydrogen atoms in hydroxyl group of FER. Compared with bare LiClO₄ /PEO [poly(ethylene oxide)] polymer electrolyte, the ionic conductivity of PEO composite polymer electrolyte was enhanced more than three orders by adding the Li-FER powder in it. The results of electrochemical measurements show that the Li⁺ transference number increased obviously by adding the Li-FER powder. The crystal properties of the composite polymer electrolytes were investigated by XRD, DSC, and polarized light microscopy (PLM) methods. It was found that the Li-FER fine powder could act as crystal nucleator to make grain refinement and provide more continuous amorphous domain, in which Li+ ions can move more easily. Therefore the conductivity of the PEO composite polymer electrolytes increased greatly.

Key words: Zeolite, Ferrierite (FER), PEO, Polymer electrolyte, Conductivity