Ionic Transport in PMMA-NaCF₃SO₃ Gel Polymer Electrolyte

Abstract

In this work, the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) based gel polymer electrolyte samples have been prepared by the solution casting technique. The composition range of the salt was from 3 wt% to 35 wt%. The ionic conductivity of the samples was measured using a.c. impedance technique. The highest room temperature conductivity was obtained from the sample containing 30 wt% of NaCF3SO3 salt, i.e. 5.31 x 10-3 S cm-1. The increase in the ionic conductivity with increasing salt concentrations is due to the increase in both concentration and mobility of charge carriers. The decrease in ionic conductivity at higher salt concentrations can be explained by aggregation of the ions, leading to the formation of ion-pair, thus decreasing the number of charge carriers and hence the ionic mobility. The conductivity-temperature dependence obeys the Arrhenius rule from which the activation energy was evaluated. The ionic transference number estimated by dc polarization method revealed that the conducting species are predominantly ions.

Review on Functional Electrolyte, Redox Polymers, and Solar Conversions in 3G Emerging Photovoltaic Technologies: Progress and Outlook

“…Osman at al. 214 reported PMMA-NaCF 3 SO 3 gel electrolyte shows enhanced ionic transport behavior as the concentration of sodium triflate salt (NaCF 3 SO 3 ) increases from 3% to 30% and reaches the maximum 5.31 × 10 −3 S cm −1 vs 5.29 × 10 −8 for PMMA with (EC + PC) with an activation energy of 0.33 eV. Senthi et al 141 developed the 2-MCBT-functionalized PVDF-HFP/KI/ I 2 gel polymer electrolyte to improve the conversion efficiency of DSSC.…”

“…However, the gelator has tendency to adsorb on the Pt electrode which can further lowers the ionic diffusion of redox-active ions. Osman at al . reported PMMA-NaCF 3 SO 3 gel electrolyte shows enhanced ionic transport behavior as the concentration of sodium triflate salt (NaCF 3 SO 3 ) increases from 3% to 30% and reaches the maximum 5.31 × 10 –3 S cm –1 vs 5.29 × 10 –8 for PMMA with (EC + PC) with an activation energy of 0.33 eV.…”