Effect of alumina filler on spherulite growth and ionic conductivity of PEO9(LiClO4) solid polymer electrolyte

The effect of incorporation of alumina on conductivity and in situ growth of spherulites in (PEO)(9)LiClO4 solid polymer electrolyte was studied using polarized microscopy, impedance and infrared spectroscopy. Fourfold enhancement in ionic conductivity correlated with increase in the amorphous nature of the polymer electrolyte was observed with the addition of 15 wt% of alumina having 5.5 nm pore size. The addition of 5 wt% of alumina with pore size <10 mu m, increased the ionic conductivity by nearly 3%. Filler particles may act as nuclei for the spherulites, while preventing the recrystallization tendency of the polymer and hence increase its conductivity