Iranian Journal of Materials Science and Engineering

Ion conducting gel polymer electrolytes based on poly acrylonitrle (PAN) complexed with different weight percent ratios of Sodium Fluoride (NaF) salt were prepared by using solution cast technique. Structural characterization was performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscope technique. From the X-rd results increase in amorphous phase with the increase of dopant salt concentration was observed. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic analysis confirmed the complexation of the salt with the polymer matrix.  Electrical conductivity was measured that the magnitude of ionic conductivity increased with the increase in the salt concentration as well as temperature. The surface morphology was observed by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), the optical band gap measured from UV-Vis Spectroscopy. The sample containing 30 wt% of NaF exhibited the highest conductivity of 1.82x10^-4 S cm^-1 at 303K and 2.96x10^-3 S cm^-1 at 373K. The temperature dependence of ionic conductivity of these films followed Arrhenius relation. Transference number measurements were carried out to investigate the nature of the charge transport species in the polymer electrolyte systems. The transference number data showed that the charge transports in these systems are predominantly due to ions. Using these polymer electrolyte films, electrochemical cells were fabricated and their discharge characteristics were studied. Various cell parameters, such as open circuit voltage, short circuit current, power density and energy density were determined.

An attempt has been focused to develop a new aluminum ion conducting non aqueous polymer electrolyte for high power rechargeable batteries having applications in rapidly growing markets, such as laptops, handy tele communication equipments, electric vehicles, camcorders, etc. These features have given a thrust to develop a suitable Nano composite GPE based on  PAN as polymer host and Sodium fluoride (NaF) as dopant salt and Al₂O₃ as nano filler in the form of thin films through solution casting technique consuming N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) as a common solvent. NCGPE films have been prepared by solution casting technique. The XRD pattern of 70PAN-30NaF with addition of wt% Al₂O₃ ceramic filler indicates reducing degree of crystallinity. Using IR studies revealed that the complexation of the polymer poly (acrylonitrle) with NaF. The conductivity of the GPEs was studied with enhancement of nano fillers. The sample containing 3% of Al₂O₃ exhibits the highest conductivity of 4.82x10^-3S cm^-1 at room temperature (303K) and 5.96x10^-3S cm^-1 at 378K. With the help of Wagner’s polarization technique electronic (t_e) and ionic (t_i) values can be determined.To determine profiles of discharge characteristics (70PAN-30NaF-3wt% Al₂O₃) NCGPE solid-state electrochemical cell was fabricated and various cell profiles were evaluated