Effect of plasticizer on microstructure and electrical properties of a sodium ion conducting composite polymer electrolyte

A plasticized composite polymer electrolyte (PCPE) based on Poly (ethylene oxide) + NaI with Na2SiO3 as the ceramics filler and Poly (ethylene glycol) as the plasticizer has been prepared by solution cast technique. Effect of plasticization on microstrucutre and electrical properties of the materials has been investigated. The changes in the structural and microstructural properties of the material have been investigated by XRD and SEM studies. The electrical conductivity estimated using a. c. impedance spectroscopy was found to be dependent on plasticizer concentration. An enhancement in the ionic conductivity value by three times has been recorded on addition of plasticizer when compared with that of unplasticized composite polymer electrolyte. The temperature dependence of conductivity of the polymer films is found to obey the Arrhenius behavior below and above the melting temperature of PEO. The electrical transport has been found to be a thermally activated process with ions being the predominant charge carrier.