Experimental studies on polyethylene oxide–NaClO 4 based composite polymer electrolytes dispersed with Na 2SiO 3

Abstract

Composite polymer electrolytes comprising of a poly ethylene oxide (PEO)–NaClO 4 complex dispersed with Na 2SiO 3 are described. The results of the studies based on optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, a.c. impedance analysis and mechanical testing are presented and discussed. An electrical conductivity of 1.02×10 −3 S cm −1 at 100°C was achieved with a dispersion of 1 wt% of Na 2SiO 3. A substantial enhancement in the mechanical properties of the composite films was observed at the cost of a slight decrease in the conductivity. The temperature dependence of conductivity follows an Arrhenius type thermally activated process below and above the melting temperature of PEO.