PEO nanocomposite polymer electrolyte for solid state symmetric capacitors

Abstract

Physical and electrochemical properties of polyethylene oxide (PEO)-based nanocomposite solid polymer electrolytes (NPEs) were investigated for symmetric capacitor applications. Nanosize fillers, i.e., Al2O3 and SiO2 incorporated polymer electrolyte exhibited higher ionic conductivity than those with filler-free composites. The composites have been synthesized by the completely dry (solution-free) hot-press method. The addition of filler in fractional amount to the solid polymer matrix at room temperature further enhances the ionic conductivity. Nature of the NPEs were studied using X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive spectra analyses. Thermal stability of the resulting electrolyte was analysed by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetric studies. Morphology changes occurred during the addition of fillers was evidenced by scanning electronic microscope images. Solid polymer electrolytes exhibiting these parameters was found to be suitable for solid state capacitors. The results obtained from the electrolytes with an optimum compositions (PEO70AgI30)93(Al2O3)7 and (PEO70AgI30)95(SiO2)5 used in the (PEO70AgI30)70(AC)30 electrodes for symmetric capacitor applications and their performances were analysed by impedance spectroscopic, Bode plot, cyclic voltammetry, discharge characteristics and leakage current profile.