Plasticized alkaline solid polymer electrolyte system

Alkaline solid polymer electrolytes were prepared by utilizing poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), potassium hydroxide (KOH), alpha-Al2O3 and different amounts of propylene carbonate (PC). The addition of PC to the PVA:KOH:alpha-Al2O3:H2O increased its conductivity by three orders of magnitude to the reading of similar to 10(-4) S cm(-1). The plot for log sigma-1/T showed a transformation from liquid-like conductivity to Arrhenius type. The dielectric constant (epsilon(r)) of the samples increases with increasing PC concentrations and temperatures. Scanning electron microscopy also shows the effect of PC on the polymer electrolytes surface. Thermogravimetric studies show that the thermal stability of the polymer electrolytes decreases with the addition of PC. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.