Characterization of the Ion Conductivity for Surface Modified Polymer Electrolyte Thin Films Anthony R. Layson, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Denison University Understanding the conductivity behavior at the polymer electrolyte/electrode interface is critical if these materials are to be used in future capacitor and battery technology. To Impedance Spectrometer A polyethylene oxide (PEO) polymer electrolyte is drop cast onto the sensor portion of an Interdigitated Micro Electrode (IME) resulting in a thin layer covering the electrode surface Clean IME The IME is placed in hexane saturated with a molecule which then self assembles on the PEO surface. Partially coated IME Growth was also monitored with Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy Growth of the self assembled molecule (SAM) is monitored by impedance spectroscopy. 1 h 4 h 8 h 10 h 13 h 0 h Frequency (cm) Time (hrs) Impedance (Ω) SAM: H(CH2)32(CH2CH2O)40H SAM Immersion Monolayer growth Slows/stops The increase in peak absorbance values closely mirrors the growth observed with impedance Changes in the impedance of the PEO film provides a means to track SAM growth