Effect of plasticizer on structural and electrical properties of nanocomposite solid polymer electrolytes

Abstract

The solid polymer electrolyte films based on polyethylene oxide, NaClO 4 with dodecyl amine modified montmorillonite as filler, and polyethylene glycol as plasticizer were prepared by a tape casting method. The effect of plasticization on structural, microstructural, and electrical properties of the materials has been investigated. A systematic change in the structural and microstructural properties of plasticized polymer nanocomposite electrolytes (PPNCEs) on addition of plasticizer was observed in our X-ray diffraction pattern and scanning electron microscopy micrographs. Complex impedance analysis technique was used to calculate the electrical properties of the nanocomposites. Addition of plasticizer has resulted in the lowering of the glass transition temperature, effective dissociation of the salt, and enhancement in the electrical conductivity. The maximum value of conductivity obtained was ∼4.4×10 −6 S cm −1 (on addition of ∼20% plasticizer), which is an order of magnitude higher than that of pure polymer nanocomposite electrolyte films (2.82×10 −7 S cm −1 ). The enhancement in conductivity on plasticization was well correlated with the change in other physical properties.

Plasticizer Effects on Physical–Mechanical Properties of Solvent Cast Soluplus® Films

“…Thus, plasticizers will be needed to change thermal and mechanical properties in Soluplus® formulations to take full advantage of its potential as a solubilizer and solid dispersion carrier which has been demonstrated in other studies (1,2) Plasticizers are generally nonvolatile, high boiling, low molecular weight compounds added to a polymer to improve its processability, flexibility, and stretchability by modifying the mechanical properties making the films more ductile, lowering the melt viscosity and the Tg of the product without altering the fundamental chemical character of the plasticized material (9,10). When incorporated into the polymer system, plasticizers can increase the free volume between the polymer chains which allows the chain segments to move and rotate more freely allowing for increased movement of polymer chains with respect to each other, consequently, decreasing the polymer Tg and melt viscosity (11,12).…”

Effect of Nano-Filler on the Properties of Polymer Nanocomposite Films of PEO/PAN Complexed with NaPF6

“…PEO has been used as host polymer and it contain crystallinity about 70-85%. It has linear chain formed with the repeating (CH 2 …”

“…Flexible material like organic polymer can produce excellent solid /solid interface between solid electrode and solid electrolyte [2]. The main role of polymer electrolyte is to act as separator between anode and cathode material in batteries [3].…”

Effects of MnO2 nano-particles on the conductivity of PMMA-PEO-LiClO4-EC polymer electrolytes

“…Consequently, much effort has been devoted to investigate amorphous polymeric materials with high ionic conductivity at room temperature with good mechanical and thermal properties. These include introducing new polymer host [3], blending [4], and plasticization [5] and filler addition [6].…”