Effect of addition of polyether amine and TiO2 nanofibers on the properties of PEO based sodium ion conducting composites

Abstract

Sodium ion conducting polymer composite films have been prepared using the blend of poly (ethylene oxide) and polyetheramine (JEFFAMINE ED2003) in which sodium trifluoromethane sulfonate (NaTf) salt and varying amounts of inorganic filler (TiO2 nanofibers) have been added. The effect of TiO2 nanofibers addition has been seen in terms of improved ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability of the nanocomposite film. Highest ionic conductivity of ∼3.5 × 10⁻⁵ Scm⁻1 (at room temperature) along with an electrochemical stability up to ∼2.6 V has been obtained for PEO-Jeffamine blend based solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) with 10 wt% of NaTf salt and a small amount (0.2 wt%) of TiO2 nanofibers. A non monotonic variation in the room temperature ionic conductivity and intensity of XRD peaks has been seen for composite films with increasing concentration of TiO2 nanofibers. Uniform distribution of salt (Na, F and S) and TiO2 nanofibers in the prepared composite film has been obtained in the elemental mapping. FTIR results have given evidence of interaction between the blended polymers, salt and TiO2. The wavelength and duration of exposure of UV radiation have altered the electrical properties of film. Increase in the number of ionic charge carriers has been attained on exposure to UV radiation.