Effect of Nano-Filler on the Properties of Polymer Nanocomposite Films of PEO/PAN Complexed with NaPF 6

Abstract

Free standing transparent PNC (Polymer nanocomposite) films based on PEO/PAN + NaPF 6 with different concentration (wt./wt.) filler of nano sized (TiO 2 ) is synthesized by using standard solution cast technique. HRXRD (High resolution X -ray diffraction) and FESEM (Field emission scanning electron microscopy) have been performed to see the structural and microstructural behavior of the PNC films. The microscopic interaction among polymer, salt and nano-ceramic filler has been analyzed by FTIR (Fourier transformed infra-red) spectroscopy. The reduction of ion pair formation in polymeric separator is clearly observed on addition of nano-filler in the polymer salt complex film. Electrical (ionic/electronic) conductivity has been estimated (~ 10 -4 S/cm) optimized PNC films concentration of nanofiller (15 Wt.%). The estimated value of electrical conductivity is well corroborated by FTIR study. Thermal analysis has been done with thermo gravimetry analysis to find out thermal stability of PNC films. Transport properties associated due to majority mobile carriers ions and only negligible participation from electrons was observed through transport number analysis. The band gap (i.e. direct as well as indirect) decreases on the addition of nano-filler observed from the optical analysis. The estimated result of the prepared PNC films are at par with desired value for the device application.