Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of Al2O3 nanofiller on the electrical, thermal and structural properties of PEO:PPG based nanocomposite polymer electrolyte

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Ionics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A new series of nanocomposite polymer electrolyte (NCPE) system comprising of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polypropylene glycol (PPG) as blended polymer host, zinc trifluoromethanesulfonate [Zn(CF3SO3)2] as dopant salt and nanocrystalline alumina [Al2O3] as filler was prepared by solution casting technique. The present system consisting of five different compositions of 87.5 wt% (PEO:PPG)–12.5 wt% Zn(CF3SO3)2 + x wt% Al2O3 [where x = 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9, respectively] has been thoroughly characterized by various analytical techniques such as electrical impedance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). The maximum room temperature ionic conductivity exhibited by the NCPE was found to be 2.1 × 10−4 S cm−1 for 3 wt% loading of Al2O3 which is an order higher than that of the optimized filler-free zinc salt doped polymer electrolyte system at 298 K. The evidence of a decrease in the degree of crystallinity responsible for the enhanced conductivity was revealed by the XRD data and further confirmed by DSC and SEM results. Moreover, the electrochemical stability window of the highly conducting electrolyte matrix has been experimentally determined by linear sweep voltammetry and found to be 3.6 V which is fairly adequate for the construction of zinc primary batteries as well as zinc-based rechargeable batteries at ambient conditions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Fenton DE, Parker JM, Wright PV (1973) Complexes of alkali metal ions with poly(ethylene oxide). Polymer 14:589. doi:10.1016/0032-3861(73)90146-8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Liang B, Tang S, Jiang Q, Chen C, Chen X, Li S, Yan X (2015) Preparation and characterization of PEO-PMMA polymer composite electrolytes doped with nano-Al2O3. Electrochim Acta 169:334–341. doi:10.1016/j.electacta.2015.04.039

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Klongkan S, Pumchusak J (2015) Effects of nano alumina and plasticizers on morphology, ionic conductivity, thermal and mechanical properties of PEO-LiCF3SO3 solid polymer electrolyte. Electrochim Acta 161:171–176. doi:10.1016/j.electacta.2015.02.074

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Sim LH, Gan SN, Chan CH, Yahya R (2010) ATR-FTIR studies on ion interaction of lithium perchlorate in polyacrylate/poly(ethylene oxide) blends. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 76:287–292. doi:10.1016/j.saa.2009.09.031

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Jung S, Kim DW, Lee SD, Cheong M, Nguyen DQ, Cho BW, Kim SH (2009) Fillers for solid-state polymer electrolytes: highlight. Bull Kor Chem Soc 30:2355. doi:10.5012/bkcs.2009.30.10.2355

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Sownthari K, Suthanthiraraj SA (2013) Synthesis and characterization of an electrolyte system based on a biodegradable polymer. Express Polym Lett 7:495–504. doi:10.3144/expresspolymlett.2013.46

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Kumar GG, Munichandraiah N (2000) Effect of plasticizers on magnesium-poly(ethylene oxide) polymer electrolyte. J Electroanal Chem 495:42–50

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Kumar GG, Sampath S (2004) Spectroscopic characterization of a gel polymer electrolyte of zinc triflate and polyacrylonitrile. Polymer 45:2889–2895. doi:10.1016/j.polymer.2004.02.053

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Sownthari K, Suthanthiraraj SA (2014) Preparation and properties of a gel polymer electrolyte system based on poly-ε-caprolactonecontaining1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide. J Phys Chem Solids 75:746–751. doi:10.1016/j.jpcs.2014.02.003

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Caramia V, Bayer SI, Anyfantis GC, Ruffilli R, Ayadi F, Martiradonna L, Cingolani R, Athanassiou A (2013) Tailoring the morphology of poly(ethylene oxide)/silver triflate blends: from crystalline to self-assembled nanofibrillar structures. Nanotechnology 24:055602. doi:10.1088/0957-4484/24/5/055602

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Agrawal RC, Pandey GP (2008) Solid polymer electrolytes: material designing and all-solid-state battery applications: an overview. J Phys D Appl Phys 41:223001. doi:10.1088/0022-3727/41/22/223001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Narayanan NSV, Ashokraj BV, Sampath S (2010) Ambient temperature, zinc ion-conducting, binary molten electrolyte based on acetamide and zinc perchlorate: application in rechargeable zinc batteries. J Colloid Interface Sci 342:505–512. doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2009.10.034

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Johnsi M, Suthanthiraraj SA (2016) Electrochemical and structural properties of a polymer electrolyte system based on the effect of CeO2 nanofiller with PVDF-co-HFP for energy storage devices. Ionics. doi:10.1007/s11581-016-1637-x

    Google Scholar 

  14. Sengwa RJ, Dhatarwal P, Choudhary S (2014) Role of preparation methods on the structural and dielectric properties of plasticized polymer blend electrolytes: correlation between ionic conductivity and dielectric parameters. Electrochim Acta 142:359–370. doi:10.1016/j.electacta.2014.07.120

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Paulmer RDA, Kulkarni AR (1994) Synthesis and conductivity behavior of ternary PEO-PPG-NaClO4 amorphous blends. Solid State Ionics 68:243–247. doi:10.1016/0167-2738(94)90182-1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Stephan AM, Nahm KS (2006) Review on composite polymer electrolytes for lithium batteries. Polymer 47:5952–5964. doi:10.1016/j.polymer.2006.05.069

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Pitawala HMJC, Dissanayake MAKL, Seneviratne VA (2007) Combined effect of Al2O3nano-fillers and EC plasticizer on ionic conductivity enhancement in the solid polymer electrolyte (PEO)9LiTf. Solid State Ionics 178:885–888. doi:10.1016/j.ssi.2007.04.008

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Johan MR, Shy OH, Ibrahim S, Yassin SMM, Hui TY (2011) Effects of Al2O3 nanofiller and EC plasticizer on the ionic conductivity enhancement of solid PEO–LiCF3SO3 solid polymer electrolyte. Solid State Ionics 196:41–47. doi:10.1016/j.ssi.2011.06.001

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Suthanthiraraj SA, Vadivel MK (2012) Electrical and structural properties of poly (ethylene oxide)/silver triflate polymer electrolyte system dispersed with MgO nanofillers. Ionics 18:385–394. doi:10.1007/s11581-011-0637-0

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Xi J, Tang X (2004) Nanocomposite polymer electrolyte based on poly(ethylene oxide) and solid super acid for lithium polymer battery. Chem Phys Lett 393:271–276. doi:10.1016/j.cplett.2004.06.054

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Amudha S, Suthanthiraraj SA (2015) Silver ion conducting characteristics of a polyethylene oxide-based composite polymer electrolyte and application in solid state batteries. Adv Mater Lett 6(10):874–882. doi:10.5185/amlett.2015.5831

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Ahmed EA, Abdallah BW, Mohamed ME, Ahmed MM (2012) Preparation, characterizations and conductivity of composite polymer electrolytes based on PEO-LiClO4 and Nano ZnO filler. Bull Kor Chem Soc 33(9):2949–2954. doi:10.5012/bkcs.2012.33.9.2949

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Guinier A (1994) X-ray diffraction in crystals, imperfect crystals and amorphous bodies. Dover Publications, New York

    Google Scholar 

  24. Hyun J (2001) A new approach to characterize crystallinity by observing the mobility of plasma treated polymer surfaces. Polymer 42:6473–6477. doi:10.1016/S0032-3861(01)00116-1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Jogea P, Kanchan DK, Sharmaa P, Gondaliya N (2013) Effect of nano-filler on electrical properties of PVA-PEO blend polymer electrolyte. Indian J Pure Ap Phy 51(5):350–353

    Google Scholar 

  26. Xi J, Qiu XQ, Cui M, Tang X, Zhu W, Chen L (2006) Enhanced electrochemical properties of PEO-based composite polymer electrolyte with shape-selective molecular sieves. J Power Sources 156:581–588. doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2005.06.007

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Chu PP, Reddy MJ, Kao HM (2003) Novel composite polymer electrolyte comprising mesoporous structured SiO2 and PEO/Li. Solid State Ionics 156:141. doi:10.1016/S0167-2738(02)00582-9

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Akhtar MS, Kim UY, Choi DJ, Yang OB (2010) Effect of electron beam irradiation on the properties of polyethylene oxide–TiO2 composite electrolyte for dye sensitized solar cells. Mater Sci Forum 658:161–164. doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.658.161

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Dey A, Karan S, De SK (2010) Molecular interaction and ionic conductivity of polyethylene oxide–LiClO4 nanocomposites. J Phys Chem Solids 71:329–335

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Ibrahim S (2012) Johan MR (2012) Thermolysis and conductivity studies of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) based polymer electrolytes doped with carbon nanotube. Int J Electrochem Sci 7:2596–2615

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Vignarooban K, Dissanayake MAKL, Albinsson I, Mellander BE (2015) Ionic conductivity enhancement in PEO:CuSCN solid polymer electrolyte by the incorporation of nickel-chloride. Solid State Ionics 278:177–180. doi:10.1016/j.ssi.2015.06.014

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Croce F, Appetecchi GB, Persi L, Scrosati B (1998) Nanocomposite polymer electrolytes for lithium batteries. Nature 394:456–458. doi:10.1038/28818

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Ferry A, Jacobsson P, Stevens JR (1996) Studies of ionic interactions in poly(propylene glycol)4000 complexed with triflate salts. J Phys Chem 100:12574–12582. doi:10.1021/jp960366r

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Xue Z, He D, Xie X (2015) Poly(ethylene oxide)-based electrolytes for lithium ion batteries. J Mater Chem A 3:19218. doi:10.1039/c5ta03471j

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Suthanthiraraj SA, Kumar R, Paul BJ, Mathew V (2011) Electrical conductivity and dielectric behaviour of PPG4–AgCF3SO3:Al2O3 nanocomposite gel polymer electrolyte system. J Solid State Electrochem 15:561–570. doi:10.1007/s10008-010-1112-y

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Shanmukaraj D, Murugan R (2005) Characterization of PEG: LiClO4 + SrBi4Ti4O15 nanocomposite polymer electrolytes for lithium secondary batteries. J Power Sources 149:90–95. doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2005.02.008

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Kondamareddy KK, Ravi M, Pavani Y, Bhavani S, Sharma AK, Rao VVRN (2011) Investigations on the effect of complexation of NaF salt with polymer blend (PEO/PVP) electrolytes on ionic conductivity and optical energy band gaps. Physica B 406:1706–1712. doi:10.1016/j.physb.2011.02.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Pillai PCK, Khurana P, Tripathi A (1986) Dielectric studies of poly(methyl methacrylate)/polystyrene double layer system. J Mater Sci Lett 5:629–632. doi:10.1007/BF01731531

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Scrosati B (1987) Electrode kinetics and electrochemical cells. In: Mac Callum JR, Vincent CA (eds) Polymer Electrolyte Reviews. Elsevier, New York, 1: 315–345

  40. Xu JJ, Ye H, Huang J (2005) Novel zinc ion conducting polymer gel electrolytes based on ionic liquids. Electrochem Commun 7:1309–1317. doi:10.1016/j.elecom.2005.09.011

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Häupler B, Rossel C, Sohwenke AM, Winsberg J, Schmidt D, Wild A, Schubert US (2016) Aqueous zinc-organic polymer battery with a high rate performance and long lifetime. NPG Asia Materials 8:e283. doi:10.1038/am.2016.82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Li Y, Dai H (2014) Recent advances in zinc–air batteries. Chem Soc Rev 43:5257–5275. doi:10.1039/c4cs00015c

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Huang J, Yang Z, Feng Z, Xie X, Wen X (2016) A novel ZnO@Ag@Polypyrrole hybrid composite evaluated as anode material for zinc-based secondary cell. Nature: Scientific Reports 6:24471. doi:10.1038/srep24471

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the characterization facility provided for SEM analysis by the National Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, University of Madras.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Energy, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai, 600025, India

    A. Christina Nancy & S. Austin Suthanthiraraj

  2. Department of Physics, Women’s Christian College, Chennai, 600006, India

    A. Christina Nancy

Authors
  1. A. Christina Nancy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Austin Suthanthiraraj
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Christina Nancy.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Nancy, A.C., Suthanthiraraj, S.A. Effect of Al2O3 nanofiller on the electrical, thermal and structural properties of PEO:PPG based nanocomposite polymer electrolyte. Ionics 23, 1439–1449 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11581-017-1976-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11581-017-1976-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation