www.electroactmater.com Characterization of Composite Proton Conducting Polymer Electrolyte Based on Poly(vinyl alcohol)

ABSTRACT: Composite polymer electrolyte consisting of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), ammonium fluoride NH4F and nano filler ZrO2 have been prepared using solution casting technique. The addition of 2.00 mol % of the nano filler ZrO2 to the polymer electrolyte 85PVA:15NH4F enhances the ionic conductivity from 6.9 x 10-6 S cm-1 to 3.42 x 10-5 S cm-1 at room temperature. The study of transference number measurements leads to the conclusion that the conductivity has been influenced by the mobility and diffusion co-efficient of the cation. From DSC analysis, it has been observed that 85PVA:15NH4F:2.00ZrO2 electrolyte has the lowest glass transition temperature 356.7 K due to interaction between the filler and polymer structure. SEM image of 85PVA:15NH4F:2.00ZrO2 electrolyte shows the space between the nano particles which forms a new kinetic path via polymer-ceramic boundaries for proton ion transport thereby enhance the ionic conductivity. The amorphous nature of composite polymer electrolyte has been confirmed by XRD studies