Preparation and characterization of a polyacrylonitrile-based gel polymer electrolyte complexed with 1 methyl-3 propyl immidazolium iodide

• Published in: Journal of solid state electrochemistry 2015-08, Vol.19 (8), p.2199-2203
• Main Authors: Jayathilake, Y. M. C. D., Perera, K. S., Vidanapathirana, K. P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed Matter Physics; Electrochemistry; Energy Storage; Original Paper; Physical Chemistry
• ISSN: 1432-8488; 1433-0768
• DOI: 10.1007/s10008-015-2834-7

Gel polymer electrolyte (GPE)s have been identified as a group of materials that can be used as substitutes for liquid electrolytes. They have been employed for dye sensitized solar cells using different iodide salts having bulky cations so as to promote iodide conductivity which improves solar cell performance. This study is about preparation and characterization of a GPE based on polyacrylonitrile (PAN), ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), and 1 methyl-3-propylimmidazolium iodide (MPII). The reason for selecting these materials is that this salt has not been used with PAN, EC, and PC to prepare gel polymer electrolytes according to our knowledge. The composition, 1.6 PAN/4 EC/4 PC/1.3 MPII/0.1308 I 2 (weight basis) showed the maximum ambient temperature conductivity of 3.25 × 10 −3  S cm −1 . Conductivity variation with temperature follows Arrhenius pattern. GPE is predominantly an ionic conductor having more contribution from anions. Reduction and oxidation of iodide and tri-iodide ions occur at potentials −0.5 and 0.5 V, respectively. This rarely studied GPE may be very suitable for ambient temperature applications especially for dye sensitized solar cells.