Characteristic studies on PEO-based thin nanocomposite polymer electrolytes

Abstract

A novel polyethylene oxide (PEO)–based sodium conducting thin nanocomposite polymer electrolyte (NPE) is prepared using solution casting technique. The concentration of the salt has been varied and for EO:Na of 40:1, the room temperature electrical conductivity is found to be increased by two orders of magnitude relative to the pure PEO (σ_298 K = 2.8 × 10⁻⁹ S cm⁻¹). Ionic conductivity and thermal behavior of PEO₄₀NaC₁₂H₂₅SO₄ complex have been investigated with different levels of loading of nano-sized MgO powder whereas the complexation has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analyses. Structural, thermal, and morphology results have also clearly demonstrated the reduction of crystallinity of the composite polymer electrolyte by the addition of fine MgO nanoparticles. The nanocomposite polymer electrolyte while employed in the fabrication of electrochemical cell has yielded an open-circuit voltage (OCV) of 2.35 V and short-circuit current (SCC) of 412 μA. On incorporation of MgO nanoparticles, it was observed that there is a further enhancement in the conductivity. The room temperature ionic conductivity of PEO–NaC₁₂H₂₅SO₄–MgO is relatively high and stable, indicating that it is a promising electrolyte for several thin solid-state energy devices.