INVESTIGATION OF PMMA AND PVdF-HFP WITH NaClO4POLYMER BLEND ELECTROLYTE SYSTEM– APPLICATION TO AN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL

Abstract

A solution-cast process was used to prepare pure poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and pure poly (vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP), their blend, and different weight percentages of sodium per chlorate (NaClO4) salt added to PMMA: PVdF-HFP polymer blend electrolyte thin films. The polymer electrolyte film was prepared using the solution cast process, which involves combining sodium per chlorate (NaClO4) ionic slat with poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and pure poly (vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP) blended polymer. These films have been characterized systematically using different experimental techniques to investigate structural, morphological, thermal, and conductivity properties. The degree of crystallinity and porous microstructure of all the thin films were determined by XRD and SEM data and revealed that higher content of the amorphous nature was noticed at higher NaClO4 salt concentration in PMMA:PVdF-HFP polymer blend. When NaClO4 salt was added to a PMMA:PVdF-HFP polymer blend, fair complexation/interaction between polymers and salt was observed.In DSC curves of PMMA and PVdF-HFP polymers, a sharp melting temperature (Tm) was seen, which diminished when NaClO4 salt was added, showing that its amorphous nature had risen to prominence. The ionic conductivity of NaClO4 salt added PMMA:PVdF-HFP polymer blend electrolyte has been investigated, with an optimal value found to be1.55382 x 10-4S/cm at 40% NaClO4 salt. Electrochemical cells have been fabricated and investigated its characteristics in the configuration of Na/[PMMA:PVdF-HFP: NaClO4]/(I2:C).