Structural, electrical and dielectric studies of PVA based NaNO₃ Polymer electrolytes for battery applications

Abstract

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with different concentrations of sodium nitrate (NaNO₃) is prepared by the solution cast method. These polymer electrolytes’ structural, vibrational, thermal and electrical characteristics are studied by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, Differential scanning calorimetry and AC impedance analysis. Dielectric properties, DC conductivity and AC conductivity, are studied by electrical properties. The AC conductivity for all the samples of PVA with NaNO₃ is analyzed at different frequencies in the temperature range 303–373 K. Maximum conductivity is observed at room temperature for the concentration of 70% PVA with 30% NaNO_3, and it is 6.69 × 10⁻⁷ S/cm. XRD studies confirmed the amorphous nature of these prepared samples. Dielectric nature of PVA: NaNO₃ polymer electrolyte samples are investigated by dielectric constant (ε¹) and dielectric loss (ε¹¹). The minimum phase transition occurred at 70% PVA: 30% NaNO_3. The Swagelok cell verified the discharge characteristic of the highest conductivity membrane in the operating temperature range using laboratory methods.

KEYWORDS:

• Polymer PVA based NaNO₃
• XRD
• FTIR
• Conductivity
• Dielectric and electric modulus

Acknowledgement

Thanks to the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Indian Government, New Delhi for the reward of Level-1, DST- FIST Department and Department of Physics, KLEF, Vaddeswaram, Andhra Pradesh for providing the research facilities to start the investigation.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).