Hot pressed K+ ion conducting solid polymer electrolytes: synthesis, ion conduction and polymeric battery fabrication

Synthesis and ion transport studies of hot pressed K+ ion conducting solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs): (1 - x) PEO:x KBr, where 0 < x < 50 in wt%, are reported. The solvent-free/hot-press method is used for synthesis of the present SPEs. The two orders of conductivity enhancement achieved after the polymer-salt complexation in SPE composition: (70:30) with conductivity (sigma) similar to 5.01 x 10(-7) S cm(-1) from the room temperature conductivity measurements. Materials characterization and polymer-salt complexations of present SPEs have been explained with the help of various techniques viz. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy technique. To explain the ion conduction in the present SPEs, temperature dependent ionic conductivity (sigma), ionic mobility (mu), mobile ion concentration (n), ionic transference number (t(ion)) and ionic drift velocity (v(d)) have been calculated with the help of various experimental techniques. A solid state polymer battery is also fabricated by using the present SPE as an electrolyte and have been calculated their important cell parameters at room temperature.