ABSTRACT
In this paper, the effect of SiO2 nano-particles on PVA-PVP-PEG-NaI based polymer blend electrolyte (PBE) films was studied and optimized. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and attenuated total reflection (ATR)-FTIR, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), and ac impedance spectroscopic techniques have been used to study the structural, thermal, and dc conductivity, respectively. XRD results reveal that the characteristic peaks of PVA-PVP-PEG-SiO2 based nano-composite PBEs appeared at 2θ~22° with broad halo. ATR-FTIR result shows the complexation/interaction of silica nano-particles with the functional groups of PBEs. TGA analysis shows the thermal stability and decomposition temperature peak (Td, peak) of the NCPBEs decrease with SiO2 content. The prepared NCPBE film having 0.6 wt% SiO2 shows maximum dc conductivity ~5.13x10−6 S/cm at 30°C. The ionic transference number measurement was performed by a dc polarization method, and the results reveal that the conducting species are predominately ions only. Linear sweep voltametric and cyclic voltammetric measurements have been done for electrochemical stability window study.
Graphical abstract
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Acknowledgments
The author ALS is grateful to SERB, India for financial assistance through research project EEQ/2018/000862. The author PS is thankful to UGC-India for providing financial assistance as UGC-JRF.
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Notes on contributors
Pankaj Singh
Dr. A. L. Saroj is a researcher and working as assistant professor in Department of Physics, I. Sc., BHU, India. His area of research includes preparation and characterization of polymer/bio-polymer-Ionic liquid based plasticized polymer/polymer blend/nano-composite polymer electrolytes and its application in EC devices.
A. L. Saroj
Pankaj Singh is pursuing his Ph. D in ion conducting polymer lab department of Physics, I. Sc., BHU, India. His area of research includes preparation and characterization of polymer/ polymer blend nano-composite electrolytes. He obtained his Master of Science in Physics from Banaras Hindu University.