Investigations on Poly(ethylene oxide) + NH₄PF₆ Solid Polymer Electrolyte System

Abstract

The authors report experimental investigation on a solid polymer electrolyte PEO + NH₄PF₆. The solid thin films of different compositions of PEO + NH₄PF₆ complex were synthesized using solution cast technique and characterized. Complexation between polymer and the salt has been established using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. Ion transport in the polymer material has been studied by electrical conductivity measurements with composition, temperature, and humidity; by total ionic transference number measurement; and by dielectric measurements. The maximum room temperature (∼29°C) conductivity of the material has been found to be 1.04 × 10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹ for at RH = 60%. The conductivity shows strong humidity dependence. The temperature dependence of the conductivity shows the Arrhenius behavior. The total ionic transference number of the electrolyte material has been found to be between 0.94 and 0.97.

Keywords:

• Dielectric studies
• ion association
• polymer electrolyte
• proton conductor

Acknowledgement

The authors wish to thank Jaypee Institute of Information Technology (JIIT), Noida, for providing the experimental facilities and financial support. Kuldeep Mishra wishes to thank JIIT, Noida, for providing research fellowship.