Effect of kGy neutron doses on polymer composite consists of poly (vinylidene difluoride)–lithium bis(oxalato)borate

Abstract

Present work is aimed to explore the electrical and structural behavior of polymer composite consists of poly (vinylidene difluoride)–lithium bis(oxalato)borate under tens of kGy neutron dose. PVDF-LiBOB samples were prepared via solution casting method. The samples were irradiated with neutron doses of 15, 23, 31, 39 and 47 kGy using Reaktor TRIGA PUSPATI at Malaysian Nuclear Agency. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals an increase of crystallinity with the neutron doses, which indicates an improvement of the mechanical strength of the material. Deconvolution of Fourier transform infrared spectra from 1830 to 1760 cm−1 confirms a reduction of free ions following the radiation dose. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed a decrease in ionic conductivity with an increase in neutron dose, which indicates the non-conducting/radiation resistant behavior of the studied polymer composite. Furthermore, the dielectric constant shows an inverse behavior with the relaxation time following the increase of neutron dose until 47 kGy. Key transport parameters such as mobile charge concentration, mobile ion mobility and mobile ion diffusion coefficient supports the evidence to the increased radiation resistant behavior of PVDF-LiBOB with the increase of neutron doses. As such, the studied low-cost polymer composite (PVDF-LiBOB) has the potential to be used as a radiation resistant coating materials for protecting of sophisticated industrial devices (e.g., energy storage devices) which may provide a better device stability.