Microstructural, Relaxation and Transport Properties of Electron Irradiated Ion Conducting Polymer Electrolyte for Solid State Battery Applications

Abstract

Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) doped with KBr composite electrolytes was prepared by solvent casting method, prepared electrolyte films are irradiated with electron beam. The induced modification on the structure of the electrolyte has been confirmed by XRD studies. The XRD results reveal that the crystal structure of the electrolyte has disrupted, thus the amorphous nature increases upon electron irradiation and creates free radicals due to chain scission. Impedance analysis showed that the ionic conductivity increases upon electron irradiation and the maximum conductivity of 6.2388×10-2 S/cm is attained for 300 kGy dose of electron irradiation at 373K. The ion transportation is determined by using Wagner's polarization technique, and the TIC study confirms the presence of single ionic species within the electrolyte for both pristine and 300 kGy dose electron irradiated electrolyte. This study shows the ion transportation inside the polymer fabrics can be improved by electron beam irradiation method.