Mechanical and sodium ion conductivity properties of graphene oxide–incorporated nanocomposite polymer electrolyte membranes

• Published in: Journal of solid state electrochemistry 2019-09, Vol.23 (9), p.2707-2722
• Main Authors: Koduru, H. K., Bruno, L., Marinov, Y. G., Hadjichristov, G. B., Scaramuzza, N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed Matter Physics; Current carriers; Electrochemistry; Electrolytes; Energy Storage; Frequency ranges; Graphene; Ion currents; Ions; Membranes; Modulus of elasticity; Nanocomposites; Original Paper; Physical Chemistry; Sheets; Sodium
• ISSN: 1432-8488; 1433-0768
• DOI: 10.1007/s10008-019-04359-6

Graphene oxide (GO) nano-sheets incorporated PEO/PVA composite membranes complexed with NaIO 4 salt at different concentrations were prepared using the solution casting technique. The nanocomposite PEO/PVA membranes demonsrated improved mechanical tensile strength and Young’s modulus in comparision to pure PEO/PVA blends. Impedance measurements were performed in the frequency range of 0.1 Hz–3 MHz and at temperature in the range of 30–70 °C. The pure blend electrolyte complexed with 20 wt.% of NaIO 4 salt demonstrated Na + ion conductivity of 1.03 × 10 −7 S/cm at room temperature. Comparatively, PEO/PVA/NaIO 4 (20 wt.%) blend electrolyte membranes demonstrated one order increment in room temperature ionic conductivity as a result of incorporation of 0.9 wt.% GO nano-sheets. The effect of introducing GO nano-sheets in the matrix of PEO/PVA blend electrolyte membranes was noticed by means of increment in charge carriers, diffusivity and mobility of the ions.