Nano composite solid polymer electrolytes based on biodegradable polymers starch and poly vinyl alcohol

An attempt has been made to prepare nano composite solid polymer electrolytes by adding nano fumed silica in different weight ratios in a polymer matrix composed of biodegradable polymers Starch and Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) to get high ionic conductivity with good mechanical strength. Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to confirm the complexation and interaction of the nano filler with the polymer matrix. From the FTIR investigations it could be established that the formation of C-O-Si bonds by nano fumed SiO2 with Starch and PVA lead to the crucial structural modification that finally increase the conductivity of the sample. Dielectric and frequency dependent measurements substantiate the sharp increase in number of charge carriers as the major factor contributing to the enhancement of the conductivity for 3 wt% nano fumed silica. Electric modulus studies confirmed the ionic nature and indicate absence of electrode polarization in the system. Maximum ionic conductivity similar to 10 (3) S/cm could be realized for 3 wt% silica at ambient condition. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.