Ionic conduction and phase separation studies in P(VdF-HFP))-LiClO4-dedoped polyaniline nanofiber composite polymer electrolytes — II: Effect of incorporation of PC and DEC

In the present work, ionic transport and interfacial stability of dedoped (insulating) polyaniline (PAni) nanofibers dispersed P(VdF-HFP) based nanocomposite gel polymer electrolytes have been investigated. Samples of P(VdF-HFP)-(PC+DEC)-LiClO4-x wt. % dedoped PAni nanofibers (x = 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) are prepared by conventional solution casting technique. By analysis of SEM, XRD and impedance spectroscopy results it has been demonstrated that the incorporation of up to 6 wt. % of dedoped PAni nanofibers to P(VdF-HFP)-(PC+DEC)-LiClO4 polymer electrolyte system significantly enhances the ionic conductivity and interfacial stability of the electrolyte system. Above that concentration phase separation of PAni nanofibers is observed leading to decrease in ionic conductivity. The aggregated phase decreases the porosity, which results in lower ionic conductivity as confirmed by SEM. Experiments on the interfacial stability reveals that the stability of polymer electrolytes containing nanofibers is better than that of nanofiber free polymer electrolytes.