Ionic Transport and Structural Characterization of A PEO[sub 50] AgCF[sub 3]SO[sub 3]—Based Nanocomposite Polymer Electrolyte System Containing MgO Nanofillers

Abstract

This paper deals with the ionic transport, complexation and structural characteristics of a (PEO)50—AgCF3SO3 polymer electrolyte system incorporated with MgO nanofiller. In this context, a series of nanocomposite polymer electrolytes loaded with different concentrations of MgO (x = 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 wt% respectively) were prepared by the solution casting method. AC impedance analysis, FTIR and XRD investigations were carried out on these freshly prepared nanocomposite polymer electrolytes. The maximum ambient temperature electrical conductivity value of 2×10−6 Scm−1 was registered in the case of the sample containing 5 wt% MgO. A further increase in the concentration (above 5 wt%) of nanofiller saw a significant decrease in ionic conductivity values mainly due to the process of filler aggregation. Electrical, modulus analysis revealed the polarization characteristics of the electrolyte system whereas the FTIR studies clearly indicated the appearance of new absorption bands corresponding to polymer‐salt interactions while a considerable decrease in the degree of crystallinity was evident from the XRD data obtained for these nanocomposite polymer electrolytes.