Characterization of PEO/PVP/GO nanocomposite solid polymer electrolyte membranes: microstructural, thermo-mechanical, and conductivity properties

• Published in: Ionics 2018-11, Vol.24 (11), p.3459-3473
• Main Authors: Koduru, H. K., Scarpelli, F., Marinov, Y. G., Hadjichristov, G. B., Rafailov, P. M., Miloushev, I. K., Petrov, A. G., Godbert, N., Bruno, L., Scaramuzza, N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed Matter Physics; Crystallites; Dispersion; Electrochemistry; Electrolytes; Elongation; Energy Storage; Ethylene oxide; Fillers; Graphene; Membranes; Modulus of elasticity; Morphology; Nanocomposites; Optical and Electronic Materials; Optical properties; Original Papers; Polymers; Polyvinylpyrrolidone; Protuberances; Reflectance; Renewable and Green Energy; Sheets; Spectrum analysis; Thermal conductivity; Thermomechanical properties; Weight
• ISSN: 0947-7047; 1862-0760
• DOI: 10.1007/s11581-018-2484-8

Poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) blended nanocomposite polymers, incorporating graphene oxide (GO) nano-sheets and embedded with NaIO 4 salt, were prepared using solution casting technique. The as-prepared nanocomposite electrolyte membranes were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, and Raman vibrational spectroscopic techniques to confirm the dispersion of GO nano-sheets and to understand the synergistic properties of GO/polymer interactions as a function of GO nano-sheets concentration. GO fillers incorporated electrolyte membranes demonstrated distinctive surface morphology composed of circular-shaped protuberances of different dimensions. The decrease of Raman intensity ratio ( I D / I G ) and in-plane crystallite size ( L a ) values of the nanocomposites suggested the good dispersion and confinement of the GO nano-sheets. The optical properties of blend electrolyte films were studied as a function of GO filler concentration using optical absorption and diffuse reflectance spectra. In reference to PEO/PVP/NaIO 4 , the resultant PEO/PVP/NaIO 4 /GO (0.4% in weight) electrolyte membrane demonstrated both an increase in tensile strength of ca. 42% and in Young’s modulus of ca. 40%, improvements coupled with a maximum fractured elongation of 3%. Through impedance spectroscopy analysis, the role of the GO nano-sheets onto the room temperature conductivity properties of the prepared electrolyte membranes has been probed.