SYNTHESIS OF NANOCOMPOSITE POLYMER ELECTROLYTE FILMS AND STUDY THEIR ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

Batteries based on polymer electrolytes are the subject of active research and development. Electrolyte is one of key components in batteries. In order to keep up with rapid development in electronic industry, improving the performance of polymer electrolytes has therefore become a goal of research. Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) have improved the safety problems associated with conventional liquid electrolytes while offering mechanical strength and ease of manufacturability. But the main issue with SPEs is that they perform poorly in terms of conductivity at ambient temperatures when compared with liquid electrolytes. On the other hand Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) possess better ionic conductivity because of their increased amorphous nature due to plasticization, but are limited by the depression of mechanical strength and also due to poor compatibility at electrolyte-electrode interface, which causes severe problems in terms of cyclability and safety of batteries. Composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) has overcome the problem of simultaneous improvement of both ionic conductivity and mechanical strength by incorporating inorganic nanofillers in polymer matrix. Nano Composite Polymer electrolytes (NCPEs) formed from Nano sized inorganic fillers are known to enhance the ionic conductivity as well as the mechanical stability of solid polymer electrolytes. Taking into advantage high aspect ratio of nanofibers and their ability to improve the desirable properties for polymer electrolytes makes them ideal fillers for reinforcing polymer matrix. In the present research work, effect of nanofillers on electrical, mechanical, and structural properties of the electrolyte will be studied. An attempt has been made to develop NCPEs with high ionic conductivity without losing desired mechanical characteristics. NCPEs based on PMMA-PVDF blended polymer system with LiClO4 as lithium salt and Al2O3 nanofibers as fillers was synthesized.