Ionic Conductivity and Discharge Characteristic Studies of PVA-Mg(CH3COO)2 Solid Polymer Electrolytes

Ion conducting solid polymer electrolytes based on a polymer polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) complexed with magnesium acetate (Mg(CH₃COO)₂) were prepared by solution cast technique. Various experimental techniques, such as XRD, DSC, composition-dependent conductivity, temperature-dependent conductivity, and transport number measurements are used to characterize these polymer electrolyte films. The transference number data indicated the dominance of ion-type charge transport in these polymer electrolyte systems. An electrochemical cell with the configuration Mg/(80PVA + 20Mg(CH₃COO)₂)/(I₂ + C + electrolyte) has been fabricated and its discharge characteristics were studied. The Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) is 1.84 V.     

Electrolytes for hybrid carbon-MnO2 electrochemical capacitors

Different aqueous-based electrolytes have been tested in order to improve the electrochemical performance of hybrid (asymmetric) carbon/MnO₂ electrochemical capacitor (EC). Chloride and bromide aqueous solutions lead to the formation of Cl₂ and Br₂ respectively upon oxidation of the corresponding salt, thus limiting the useful electrochemical window of the MnO₂ electrode and producing gas evolution (in the case of chloride salts) detrimental to the cycling ability of an hybrid device. For sulfate and nitrate salts, MnO₂ electrode exhibits a 20% increase in capacitance when lithium is used as the cation compared to sodium or potassium salts, probably due to partial lithium intercalation in the tunnels of α-MnO₂ structure. The higher ionic conductivity and solubility of LiNO₃ has led to the investigation of this electrolyte in carbon/MnO₂ supercapacitor compared to standard hybrid cell using K₂SO₄. A lower resistance increase was evidenced when the temperature was decreased down to −10 °C. Long term cycling ability of carbon/MnO₂ supercapacitor was also evidenced with 5 M LiNO₃ electrolyte.     

A study on polymer blend electrolyte based on PVA/PVP with proton salt

Proton-conducting polymer blend electrolytes based on PVA–PVP–NH₄NO₃ were prepared for different compositions by solution cast technique. The prepared films are investigated by different techniques. The XRD study reveals the amorphous nature of the polymer electrolyte. The FTIR and laser Raman studies confirm the complex formation between the polymer and salt. DSC measurements show decrease in T _g with increasing salt concentration. The ionic conductivity of the prepared polymer electrolyte was found by ac impedance spectroscopy analysis. The maximum ionic conductivity was found to be 1.41 × 10^?3 S cm^?1 at ambient temperature for the composition of 50PVA:50PVP:30 wt% NH₄NO₃ with low-activation energy 0.29 eV. The conductivity temperature plots are found to follow an Arrhenius nature. The dielectric behavior was analyzed using dielectric permittivity (ε*) and the relaxation frequency (τ) was calculated from the loss tangent spectra (tan δ). Using this maximum ionic conducting polymer blend electrolyte, the primary proton battery with configuration Zn + ZnSO₄·7H₂O/50PVA:50PVP:30 wt% NH₄NO₃/PbO₂ + V₂O₅ was fabricated and their discharge characteristics studied.     

Effects of polymer matrix and salt concentration on the ionic conductivity of plasticized polymer electrolytes

Two polar polymers with different dielectric constants, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), were each blended with a chlorine-terminated poly(ethylene ether) (PEC) and one of the two salts, LiBF₄ and LiCF₃CO₂, to form PEC plasticized polymer electrolytes. The room-temperature ionic conductivity of the PEC plasticized polymer electrolytes reached a value as high as 10^?4 S/cm. The room-temperature ionic conductivity of the PVDF-based polymer electrolytes displayed a stronger dependence on the PEC content than did the PEO-based polymer electrolytes. In PVDF/PEC/LiBF₄ polymer electrolytes, the dynamic ionic conductivity was less dependent on temperature and more dependent on the PEC content than it was in PEO/PEC/LiBF₄ polymer electrolytes. The highly plasticized PVDF-based polymer electrolyte film with a PEC content greater than CF4 (CF4 defined as the molar ratio of the repeat units of PEC to those of PVDF equal to 4) was self-supported and nonsticky, while the corresponding PEO-based polymer electrolyte film was sticky. In these highly plasticized PVDF-based polymer electrolytes, the curves of the room-temperature ionic conductivity vs. the salt concentration were convex because the number of carrier ions and the chain rigidity both increased with increase of the salt content. The maximum ionic conductivity at 30°C was independent of the PEC content, but it depended on the anion species of the lithium salts in these highly plasticized polymer electrolytes. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Dynamic Mechanical,DSC, and Electrical Investigations on Nano Al2O3 Filled PVA:NH4SCN:DMSO Polymer Composite Dried Gel Electrolytes

This paper reports the dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and ionic conductivity studies on nanosized Al₂O₃(aluminium oxide) filled PVA:NH₄SCN:DMSO polymer composite dried gel electrolytes prepared by the wet chemistry route. Better mechanical stability and thermal behavior are noticed in the composite system. Multiple relaxation peaks seen in tangent loss measurements (in DMA studies) have been suitably correlated. Enhancement in ionic conductivity has been noticed with an optimum value of 4.02 × 10^?3 Scm^?1 for 4 wt% nano Al₂O₃ filled composite electrolytes. Temperature dependence of ionic conductivity shows a combination of Arrhenius and VTF (Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher) behavior.     

Alternating copolymers of carbon dioxide with glycidyl ethers for novel ion-conductive polymer electrolytes

To overcome the low ionic conduction of existing poly(ethylene oxide)-based polymer electrolytes, we consider polycarbonates obtained from the copolymerization of CO₂ and epoxy monomers. We synthesized four types of polycarbonates possessing phenyl, n-butyl, t-butyl and methoxyethyl side groups using zinc glutarate, and measured the ionic conductivity of their electrolytes, including 10 mol% of LiTFSI. The electrolyte possessing methoxyethyl side groups had the highest conductivity, of the order of 10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature. The activation energy (E_a) for ionic conduction in the polycarbonate electrolytes was estimated from the VTF equation, and the E_a of the electrolyte possessing n-butyl side groups was almost the same with the polyether-based electrolytes. An interesting feature of our study is that the polycarbonate is a unique candidate for ion-conductive polymers because of its flexible and hydrophobic properties.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Proton Conducting Polymer Blend Electrolytes

The proton conducting polymer blend electrolytes based on poly(vinyledine fluoride):poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVdF:PVA) polymer blend, doped with ammonium acetate (CH₃COONH₄) in different concentrations, have been prepared by a solution casting technique using dimethyl formamide (DMF) as solvent. The increase in amorphous nature of the polymer electrolytes has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirms the complex formation between the polymers and the salt. From the ac impedance spectroscopic analysis, the ionic conductivity of 5 MWt% CH₃COONH₄-doped PVdF:PVA polymer blend electrolyte has been found to be maximum of 1.30 × 10^?6 S/cm at room temperature.     

Polystyrene-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> composite solid polymer electrolyte for lithium secondary battery

In a common salt-in-polymer electrolyte, a polymer which has polar groups in the molecular chain is necessary because the polar groups dissolve lithium salt and coordinate cations. Based on the above point of view, polystyrene [PS] that has nonpolar groups is not suitable for the polymer matrix. However, in this PS-based composite polymer-in-salt system, the transport of cations is not by segmental motion but by ion-hopping through a lithium percolation path made of high content lithium salt. Moreover, Al₂O₃ can dissolve salt, instead of polar groups of polymer matrix, by the Lewis acid-base interactions between the surface group of Al₂O₃ and salt. Notably, the maximum enhancement of ionic conductivity is found in acidic Al₂O₃ compared with neutral and basic Al₂O₃ arising from the increase of free ion fraction by dissociation of salt. It was revealed that PS-Al₂O₃ composite solid polymer electrolyte containing 70 wt.% salt and 10 wt.% acidic Al₂O₃ showed the highest ionic conductivity of 9.78 × 10^-5 Scm^-1 at room temperature.     

In situ study of ionic conductivity for polyether-LiCF3SO3 electrolytes with subcritical and supercritical CO2

In situ measurements of the ionic conductivity were performed on polyethers, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(oligo oxyethylene methacrylate) (PMEO), with lithium triflate (LiCF₃SO₃) as crystalline and amorphous electrolytes, and at CO₂ pressures up to 20 MPa. Both PEO and PMEO systems in subcritical and supercritical CO₂ increased more than five fold in ionic conductivity at 40 °C composed to atmospheric pressure. The pressure dependence of the ionic conductivity for PEO electrolytes was positive under CO₂, and increased by two orders of magnitude under pressurization from 0 to 20 MPa, whereas it decreases with increasing pressure of N₂. The enhancement is caused by the plasticizing effect of CO₂ molecules that penetrate into the electrolytes.     

Lithium Ion-conducting Blend Polymer Electrolyte Based on PVA–PAN Doped with Lithium Nitrate

A new blend polymer electrolyte based on poly(vinyl alcohol) and polyacrylonitrile doped with lithium nitrate (LiNO₃) has been prepared and characterized. The complexation of blend polymer (92.5 PVA:7.5 PAN) with LiNO₃ has been studied using X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry thermograms show a decrease in glass transition temperature with the addition of salt. The maximum ionic conductivity of the blend polymer electrolyte is 1.5 × 10^?3 Scm^?1 for 15 wt% LiNO₃ doped–92.5 PVA:7.5 PAN electrolyte. The conductivity values obey Arrhenius equation. Ionic transference number measurement reveals that the conducting species are predominantly ions.     

Investigations on Structural and Electrical Properties of KClO4 Complexed PVP Polymer Electrolyte Films

Potassium ion-conducting polymer electrolytes based on poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) complexed with KClO₄ were prepared using a solution cast technique. These samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and impedance spectroscopy. The complexation of the salt with polymer was confirmed by FT-IR and XRD studies. The ionic conductivity was found to increase with increasing temperature and salt concentration. The highest ionic conductivity (0.91 × 10^?5 S/cm) and low activation energy (0.29 eV) was obtained for the polymer complexed with 15 wt% KClO₄ among all the compositions.     

Electrokinetic Properties of Acid-Activated Montmorillonite Dispersions

In this study, the influence of pH, electrolyte concentration, and type of ionic species on the electrokinetic properties (zeta potential and electrokinetic charge density) of the acid-activated montmorillonite mineral have been investigated using the microelectrophoresis method. The electrokinetic properties of acid-activated montmorillonite dispersions have been determined in aqueous solutions of mono-, di-, and trivalent salts and divalent heavy metal salts. Zeta potential experiments have been performed to determine the point of zero charge (pzc) and potential determining ions (pdi). The zeta potential values of the acid-activated montmorillonite particles were negative and did not vary significantly within the pH range studied. Acid-activated montmorillonite dispersions do not have point of zero charge (pzc). The valence of the electrolytes has a great influence on the electrokinetic behavior of the suspension. A gradual decrease in the zeta potential (from ?25 mV to ?5 mV) occurs with the monovalent electrolytes when concentration increased. Divalent and heavy metal electrolytes have less negative z-potentials due to the higher valence of ions. A sign reversal of z-potential has been observed at AlCl₃, FeCl₃, and CrCl₃ electrolytes (potential determining ions) and zeta potential values have had a positive sign at high electrolyte concentrations.

The electrokinetic charge density of acid-activated montmorillonite has shown similar trends for variation in mono- and divalent electrolyte solutions. Up to concentrations of ca. 10^?3 M, it has remained practically constant at approximately 0.5 × 10^?3 C m^?2 For higher concentrations of monovalent electrolytes more negative values (?16 × 10^?3 C m^?2) were observed. It has less negative values in divalent electrolyte concentrations according to monovalent electrolytes (?5 × 10^?3 C m^?2). For low concentrations of trivalent electrolytes, the electrokinetic charge density of montmorillonite particles is constant, but at certain concentrations it rapidly increased and changed its sign to positive.     

Preparation of alkaline PVA-based polymer electrolytes for Ni–MH and Zn–air batteries

Alkaline PVA polymer electrolyte with high ionic conductivity of about 0.047 S cm^–1 at room temperature was obtained by a solution casting method. The PVA polymer electrolytes, blended with KOH and H₂O, were studied by DSC, TGA, cyclic voltammetric and a.c. impedance methods. The PVA polymer electrolytes show good mechanical strength and high ionic conductivity. The electrochemical stability window at the metal–electrolyte interface is ±1.2 V for stainless steel. Ni–MH and Zn–air batteries with PVA polymer electrolytes were assembled and tested. Experimental results show good electrochemical performances of the PVA-based Ni–MH and Zn–air batteries.     

Sulfonate based ionic liquid incorporated polymer electrolytes for Magnesium secondary battery

The polymer electrolytes comprising of PVdF-HFP/PVAc/Mg(ClO₄)₂ as salt based polymer blend electrolytes derived from the addition of varying amounts of 1-ethyl – 3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethane sulfonate [EMITF], as dopant were synthesized in the form of films by solution-casting method. The XRD and FTIR patterns confirm the formation of an amorphous phase and also that complex formation between the polymers, salt and ionic liquid. The SEM images show that the polymer electrolyte exhibit a enormous pores, remarkably, the maximum ionic conductivity is obtained in the case of the typical polymer system I₃ is found to be 9.122 × 10^?4 Scm^?1at 303 K.     

Electrical performance of lithium ion based polymer electrolyte with polyethylene glycol and polyvinyl alcohol network

A solid polymer electrolyte based on lithium hydroxide (LiOH) added with polyethylene glycol and polyvinyl alcohol polymers was synthesized by solution casting. The structural variation with respect to loading wt% of LiOH reveals the semicrystalline property of polymer electrolyte. The differential scanning calorimetry data shows the onset of crystalline to amorphous transition, which occurs nearly to the melting peak, for higher salt content. The structural properties and cross-linking between polymer and salt were demonstrated by polarized optical microscopy. The polymer electrolytes were subjected to AC impedance analysis spectra for obtaining the ionic conductivity at different temperature. The charge carriers relax much faster for higher lithium salt concentration based polymer electrolyte and produces higher conductivity. The highest room temperature conductivity 2.63 × 10^?5 S/cm is obtained for 8 wt% loading of lithium salt based polymer electrolyte, confirming their use in preparation of ion conducting devices.     

Alkaline blend polymer electrolytes based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/tetraethyl ammonium chloride (TEAC)

Alkaline blend polymer electrolytes based on PVA/TEAC were obtained by a solution casting technique. Tetraethyl ammonium chloride (TEAC) was added to PVA polymer matrix to form an alkaline blend polymer electrolyte exhibiting excellent ionic transport and mechanical properties. The ionic conductivity of the alkaline PVA/TEAC blend polymer electrolyte was found to be of the order of 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ at ambient temperature when the blend ratio of PVA:TEAC varied from 1:0.2 to 1:2. The characteristic properties of alkaline PVA/TEAC blend polymer electrolytes were examined using DSC, TGA, XRD, SEM, EA, stress–strain tests and AC impedance spectroscopy. The ionic transport properties for the blend polymer electrolytes were measured using Hittorf’s method. It was found that the anionic transport numbers (t ⁻) were between 0.82 and 0.99; the membranes are highly dependent on the types of alkali metal salts and the chemical composition of the polymer blend. The ionic transport and mechanical properties were greatly improved at the expense of the ionic conductivity. In this work we demonstrate that alkaline blend polymer electrolyte can be tailored with a blend technique to achieve specific characteristic properties for battery applications.     

FT-IR studies on interactions of AlCl3 with PEO-NaSCN polymer electrolytes

Solid polymer electrolytes are potentially useful electrolytes to be applied in high-energy batteries. In the present work, a novel polymer electrolyte, polyethylene oxide (PEO)-NaSCN-AlCl₃, was prepared and investigated by FT-IR spectroscopic techniques. Based on the FT-IR data, the bands in the CN stretching envelope have been assigned and the effect of AlCl₃ on ion-ion and ion-polymer interactions in the polymer electrolyte has been examined. It is shown that the Lewis acid-base interaction of AlCl₃ with SCN¹⁻ leads to the formation of the complex anions AlCl₃SCN⁻ and Al₂Cl₆SCN⁻, depending on the content of AlCl₃ and/or NaSCN in PEO; the preferential interactions of AlCl₃ with crystal complex P(EO)₃NaSCN occur in PEO-NaSCN-AlCl₃ electrolytes; the AlCl₃-NaSCN complex anions can play a plasticization role in PEO-NaSCN-AlCl₃ electrolyte, and are expected to be a important factor to improve the conductivity and to enhance the cation transference number. In addition, the interactions between AlCl₃ and ether oxygen of PEO were analyzed, and their effect on ionic association was also discussed.     

TERNARY NaCl+LiCl+H2O MIXED ELECTROLYTE SYSTEM: DETERMINATION OF ACTIVITY COEFFICIENTS BASED ON POTENTIOMETRIC METHOD

The mean activity coefficients for NaCl in a ternary electrolyte system were determined by the potentiometric method, at 25°C, using a solvent polymeric (PVC) sodium-selective membrane electrode (Na⁺ ISE), containing N,N′-dibenzyl-N,N′-diphenyl-1,2-phenylenedioxydiacetamide as ionophore, and combined with an Ag/AgCl electrode. The potentiometric measurements were performed at the same ionic strengths in different series of mixed salt solutions, each characterized by a fixed salt molal ratio r (where r = m₁/m₂ = 1, 10, 50, 100). The nonideal behavior of the ternary NaCl(m₁) + LiCl(m₂) + H₂O electrolyte system was described based on the Pitzer ion-interaction model for mixed salts over the ionic strength ranging from 0.01 up to about 4 mol/kg. Two- and three-particle Pitzer interaction parameters for a mixed electrolyte system were determined based on potentiometric data, and the critical role of potentiometric selectivity coefficient (K ₁₂) of ISE as limiting factor in the potentiometric measurements was analyzed.     

Composite alkaline polymer electrolytes and its application to nickel-metal hydride batteries

In order to enhance the ionic conductivity of polyethylene oxide (PEO)-KOH based alkaline polymer electrolytes, three types of nano-powders, i.e., TiO₂, β-Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ were added to PEO-KOH complex, respectively, and the corresponding composite alkaline polymer electrolytes were prepared. The experimental results showed that the prepared polymer electrolytes exhibited higher ionic conductivities at room temperature, typically 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ as measured by ac impedance method, and good electrochemical stability. The electrochemical stability window of ca. 1.6 V was determined by cyclic voltammetry with stainless steel blocking electrodes. The influence of the film composition such as KOH, H₂O and nano-additives on ion conductivity was investigated and explained. The temperature dependence of conductivity was also determined. In addition, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-KOH alkaline polymer electrolytes were obtained using solvent casting method. The properties of the polymer electrolytes were characterized by ac impedance, cyclic voltammetry and differential thermal analysis methods. The ionic conductivity of the prepared PVA-CMC-KOH-H₂O electrolytes can reach the order of 10⁻² S cm⁻¹. The effect of CMC addition on the alkaline polymer electrolytes was also explained. The experimental results demonstrated that the PVA-CMC-KOH-H₂O polymer electrolyte could be used in Ni/MH battery.     

Preparation and performance analysis of barium titanate incorporated in corn starch‐based polymer electrolytes for electric double layer capacitor application

Polymer electrolyte membranes composing of corn starch as host polymer, lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄) as salt, and barium titanate (BaTiO₃) as composite filler are prepared using solution casting technique. Ionic conductivity is enhanced on addition of BaTiO₃ by reducing the crystallinity and increasing the amorphous phase content of the polymer electrolyte. The highest ionic conductivity of 1.28 × 10^?2 S cm^?1 is obtained for 10 wt % BaTiO₃ filler in corn starch‐LiClO₄ polymer electrolytes at 75°C. Glass transition temperature (T_g) of polymer electrolytes decreases as the amount of BaTiO₃ filler is increased, as observed in differential scanning calorimetry analysis. Scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis are employed to characterize surface morphological and thermal properties of BaTiO₃‐based composite polymer electrolytes. The electrochemical properties of the electric double‐layer capacitor fabricating using the highest ionic conductivity polymer electrolytes is investigated using cyclic voltammetry and charge‐discharge analysis. The discharge capacitance obtained is 16.22 F g^?1. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43275.