Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
Nanocomposite electrolytes based on lithium hectorite (LiHect) clay dispersed in highdielectric organic solvents such as ethylene carbonate (EC) and propylene carbonate (PC) are shown to exhibit room-temperature conductivities exceeding 10−4 S/cm. The LiHect-based composites reveal lithium ion transference numbers of ∼0.8, as measured by the steady-state current method. In addition, dynamic rheological techniques show this system to be mechanically stable with elastic modulus G' exceeding 107 dynes/cm 2 and yield stress exceeding 104 dynes/cm2.