Effect of dispersion of ceramic filler on thermal, structural and transport properties of polymer electrolyte for electrochemical applications

Abstract

Nanocomposite polymer electrolyte (NCPE) thin films have established an extraordinary position among all other electrolyte materials because of their applications in electrochemical devices- solid state batteries, sensors and electrochemical display devices etc. Now day's research interest has been devoted to magnesium ion conducting electrolytes dispersed with nanoparticles, due to their good electrical, thermal and electrochemical properties. This paper provides a NCPE comprises of Polyvinylideneflouride (PVDF) as a host, Magnesium nitrate (Mg(NO3)2) as a ionic salt and TiO2 nanoparticles as a filler have been prepared by solution cast technique. The prepared polymer electrolyte films were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry-Thermal Gravimetric Analysis technique (DSC-TGA). The X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and FTIR patterns of polymer electrolyte films confirmed the formation of complex. Reduction in the degree of crystallnity of polymer with addition of salt and nano-filler confirmed by DSC Analysis. The composition, frequency and temperature dependence of ionic conductivity measured through Impedance spectroscopy technique of these films. The highest conductivity achieved for composition i.e. PVDF: Mg(NO3)2: TiO2 (70:30:3). The activation energy calculated from the slope of log σ - 1/T plot. The dielectric study was done in wide range of frequency and temperature. A test cell (battery) has been fabricated comprising Mg NCPE C-cell (C + I2 + electrolyte, 5:5:1) and their discharge profile have been drawn. The preliminary studies indicate the suitability of NCPE as electrolyte in solid state magnesium battery.