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In lithium–polymer batteries, the electrolyte is an essential component that plays a crucial role in ion transport and has a substantial impact on the battery's overall performance, stability, and efficiency. This article presents a detailed study on developing nanostructured composite polymer electrolytes (NCPEs), prepared using the solvent casting technique. The materials selected for this investigation include poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) as the host polymer, lithium bromide (LiBr) as the salt, and silica (SiO2) as the nanofiller. The addition of nano-SiO2 dramatically enhanced the ionic conductivity of the electrolytes, with the highest value of 6.2 × 10−5 Scm−1 observed for the sample containing 7.5 wt% nano-SiO2. This improvement is attributed to an increased amorphicity resulting from the interactions between the polymer, salt, and filler components. A structural analysis of the prepared NCPEs using X-ray diffraction revealed the presence of both crystalline and amorphous phases, further validating the enhanced ionic transport. Additionally, the thermal stability of the NCPEs was found to be excellent, withstanding temperatures up to 334 °C, thereby reinforcing their potential application in lithium–polymer batteries. This work explores the electrochemical performance of a fabricated lithium-ion-conducting primary electrochemical cell (Zn + ZnSO4·7H2O|PVC: LiBr: SiO2|PbO2 + V2O5), which demonstrated an open circuit voltage of 2.15 V. The discharge characteristics of the fabricated cell were thoroughly studied, showcasing the promising potential of these NCPEs. With the support of superior morphological and electrical properties, as-prepared electrolytes offer an effective pathway for future advancements in lithium–polymer battery technology, making them a highly viable candidate for enhanced energy storage solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ni-doped ZnO (NZO) thin films were prepared onto a glass substrate with varying concentrations of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10% of Ni using sol-gel spin coating method and their structural, optical and magnetic characteristics were discussed with supporting of XRD, UV, Photoluminescence, XPS and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) characterization techniques. The XRD analysis shows that the polycrystalline hexagonal wurtzite structure with (002) orientation of NZO thin films. The XPS results confirmed the presence of Ni ion in all the samples. The optical bandgap of the prepared samples was decreased with increasing concentrations of nickel from 3.33 to 3.22 eV. Photoluminescence spectra showed a red shift of near band edge (NBE) and deep level (DLE) emissions for prepared undoped and NZO thin films. The VSM of prepared NZO thin films exhibit ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature for potential applications in various fields. Our experimental observations support for transparent conducting electrode and spintronics device applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potassium ion conducting nanocomposite polymer electrolytes was prepared by employing the solvent casting technique. Poly ethyl methacrylate (PEMA), potassium thiocyanate (KSCN) and nano-strontium titanate (SrTiO3) (<100 nm) was used as a polymer host, an electrolyte and a filler, respectively. The complex formation between PEMA, KSCN and SrTiO3 was confirmed through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, respectively. This system exhibited two ionic conductivity maxima, but the sample, PEMA/KSCN/4 wt% SrTiO3 delivered a maximum ionic conductivity of 3.07 × 10−5 Scm−1 at room temperature, which was 102 times greater than that of PEMA/KSCN system. Truckhan model was employed to determine the diffusion coefficient, mobility and mobile ion concentration of the system. The remarkable change in surface morphology of the sample was observed through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrograph. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prepared PMMA/ZnO nanocomposites were examined by various analytical techniques to access their physio-chemical properties. The structural analysis was performed using FTIR and XRD for the prepared ZnO nanoparticles and PMMA nanocomposites. The crystalline nature and phase of the ZnO NPs were identified using XRD. The microstructural analysis was performed for the prepared samples using SEM. The surface topography of the ZnO NPs was evaluated using AFM. The grain size of the ZnO NPs was computed as 42 nm using Scherer's formula. It was also verified with the TEM micrograph. The optical characteristics of the ZnO NPs and PMMA nanocomposites were studied in depth using a UV–Visible spectrometer. The optical constants such as extinction coefficient, refractive index, dissipation factor, real and imaginary dielectric constants, and optical conductivity were examined for the PMMA nanocomposite films. The thermal stability of the PMMA nanocomposites films was enhanced as compared with pure PMMA. It was found that the decomposition of the polymer samples took place in three steps. The decomposition behavior of the polymer nanocomposites was studied under non-isothermal heating in air atmosphere by using different kinetic models. The improved optical and thermal properties of the PMMA nanocomposites are very useful in the solar energy, optical and photonics domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fourier transform infrared spectrum of the polymer‐salt complexes of poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(vinyl chloride), and the salt lithium perchlorate is analyzed for different compositions. The functional group analysis reveals that polymers PMMA and PVC form stable complexes with LiClO4. A systematic analysis of the FTIR spectrum of the polymer blend‐salt complexes brings out the inference that the system with equal composition of PMMA and PVC, 37.5 wt% each, is found to show a better complex formation with 25 wt% of LiClO4. The peak positional change of C═O group of PMMA is analyzed critically to identify the complex‐forming behavior of polymer blend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer electrolytes with different ionic liquids, 1-methyl-3-propylimidazolium iodide (PMII) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate (BMImTf), were prepared. Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (P(VdF-HFP)) was used as polymer and sodium trifluoromethanesulfonate (NaTf) as salt. Maximum ionic conductivity for the polymer electrolyte was observed as 1.03 × 10−3 Scm−1 and 1.37 × 10−3 Scm−1 for the addition of 20 wt% of BMImTf and for 40 wt% of PMII respectively. The dielectric behaviour of the samples was studied by analysing the complex dielectric permittivity. It was observed from the XRD studies that the amorphicity of the PMII added system was greater than the system added with BMImTf. FTIR analysis confirmed the occurrence of complexation and interaction among the components. Quantity of free ion and contact ion pairs was calculated using the deconvolution of the FTIR spectrum which supported the determined ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolytes. The BMImTf-added system was identified as more thermally stable than the PMII-added system. DSC confirmed the enhancement of amorphous phase in polymer electrolyte after the addition of ionic liquid. SEM images illustrated the role of porous structures on the ionic conductivity of the films. AFM analysis of the polymer electrolytes showed that the morphological change induced by PMII was higher than BMImTf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable solid polymer electrolytes based on PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) and amino acid (proline) with different molar mass percentages of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) were prepared by solution-casting technique using distilled water as solvent. Their structural, thermal, vibrational, and electrical properties were studied. XRD analysis confirms the amorphous nature of the polymer electrolytes. DSC measurements show a decrease in Tg with increasing salt concentration. The FTIR analysis reveals the complex formation between the PVA, proline, and ammonium chloride. Transference numbers for the proton-conducting polymer electrolytes have been measured. The maximum ionic conductivity has been found to be 7.01 × 10−4 S/cm at ambient temperature for 75 Mwt% PVA;25 Mwt% proline:0.3 (m.m.%) of NH4Cl polymer electrolyte using AC impedance analyzer. The temperature-dependent conductivity of the polymer membranes obeys Arrhenius behavior. The highest ionic conductivity polymer electrolyte has low activation energy of 0.07 eV among the prepared polymer electrolytes. An electrochemical stability window of 3.10 V has been measured using linear sweep voltammetry for the highest ionic conducting membrane. The highest conductivity polymer electrolyte 75 Mwt% PVA:25 Mwt% proline:0.3 (m.m.%) NH4Cl has been used to construct a primary proton battery and fuel cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid polymer electrolyte based on iota-carrageenan (i-carrageeenan) with ammonium thiocyanate (NH4SCN) has been prepared by solution casting technique using distilled water as solvent. Increase of amorphous nature of the polymer/salt complex has been confirmed by XRD analysis. The complex formation between the polymer and salt has been confirmed by FTIR analysis. A shift in glass transition temperature (Tg) of the i-carrageeenan/ NH4SCN electrolytes has been observed from the DSC thermograms. From AC impedance spectroscopy, the maximum conductivity value has been found to be 3.56 × 10−3 S/cm for i-carrageeenan (1 g): NH4SCN (0.3 wt%) at room temperature. Also it has been observed that the activation energy evaluated from the Arrhenius plots has been found to be low (0.21 eV) for i-carrageeenan (1 g): NH4SCN (0.3 wt%) polymer electrolyte. The ionic transference number has been measured using DC Wagner’s polarization method for highest conducting polymer membrane and the result indicates that the conductivity of the electrolyte is predominantly due to ions. The electrochemical stability of the electrolyte i-carrageeenan (1 g): NH4SCN (0.3 wt%) has been studied by linear sweep voltammetry. Using this maximum ionic conductivity polymer electrolyte, the proton battery and fuel cell have been constructed and the cell parameters have been reported.Possible interaction between i-carrageeenan and NH4SCN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, PEO:P(VdF-HFP) polymer blend was prepared. The blend was complexed with lithium perchlorate (LiClO), and nanosized strontium titanate (70.60 nm) SrTiO particles were dispersed into the complex in different weight ratios. Acetonitrile was used as solvent. The nanocomposite polymer blend electrolytes (NCPBEs) were prepared by the solvent-casting technique. Ionic conductivity of polymer blend electrolyte, PEO:P(VdF-HFP):LiClO, was found to enhance at room temperature by the addition of nanoSrTiO, and it was further confirmed through PL studies. Two ionic conductivity maxima, one at 2 wt% and another at 6 wt% of SrTiO were observed for NCPBEs. Out of the two peak maxima, the maximum ionic conductivity, 4.827 × 10 S cm, was obtained for 2 wt% SrTiO. This is attributed to the increase in amorphicity of the polymer blend electrolytes, resulting from the polymer-salt-filler interactions. The crystalline and amorphous phases of the complex were identified through X-ray diffraction. The dielectric behavior was analyzed using complex dielectric permittivity ( $$\varepsilon^{*}$$ ), electric modulus ( $$M^{*}$$ ), and loss tangent. From the loss tangent spectra, relaxation times were evaluated, and the relaxation is found to be consistent with the conductivity of the samples. AFM and SEM analyses revealed significant changes in the surface morphology, which is in accordance with the ionic conductivity of the samples. The thermal stability was ascertained through TG/DTA studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fabrication of nanocomposite polymer-blend electrolytes comprising polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl chloride, lithium perchlorate and titanium dioxide (TiO2) (27.03 nm) has been demonstrated using the famous solvent casting technique. AC impedance measurements were carried out in the frequency range of 1 Hz–10 MHz. The effect of filler on the ionic conductivity is explained on the basis of distribution of TiO2, Lewis acid–base interaction, polymer segment-ion coupling and aggloramation of TiO2. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra showed the occurrence of complexation and interaction among the components. The crystalline and amorphous phases of the complex were identified through X-ray diffraction. Atomic force microscope pictures of the samples confirmed the plasticizing action of nano TiO2. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Nanocomposite polymer blend electrolytes composed of PEO-P(VdF-HFP)-LiClO were prepared for various concentrations of TiO nanofiller. All the composite electrolytes were subjected to ultrasonic irradiation for enhancing the ionic conductivity of the composite electrolytes. It was noted that the ultrasonic irradiated samples exhibited a higher ionic conductivity than the non-radiated samples. In addition, filler concentration in the complex was also optimized based on ionic conductivity, and it was noted that the sample containing 6 wt% showed maximum value about 1.451 × 10 S cm; however, this is lower than the value obtained from the irradiated samples (2.27 × 10 S cm). The dielectric, modulus and tangent loss behaviour of the samples were also estimated and discussed. Thermal and surface images studies were also carried out using TG/DTA and AFM studies, respectively. In addition, mobility and diffusion coefficient characteristics were also evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminium doped zinc oxide thin films were deposited onto glass substrate using spin coating technique. The effects of Al doping on structural, optical and electrical properties of these films were investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that all the thin films were of polycrystalline hexagonal wurtzite structure with (002) as preferential orientation except 2 at.% of Al doped ZnO films. The optical band gap was found to be 3.25 eV for pure ZnO film. It increases up to 1.5 at.% of Al doping (3.47 eV) and then decreased slightly for the doping level of 2 at.% (3.42 eV). The reason for this widening of the optical band gap up to 1.5 at.% is well described by Burstein-Moss effect. The photoluminescence spectra of the films showed that the blue shift and red shift of violet emission were due to the change in the radiative centre between zinc vacancy and zinc interstitial. Variation in ZnO grain boundary resistance against the doping concentration was observed through AC impedance study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZnO thin films were deposited onto glass substrates using sol-gel spin coating technique from starting solutions having different precursor concentrations (0·1, 0·3 and 0·5M). The effects of precursor concentration and annealing temperature on the physical properties of the films were investigated. The X-ray diffraction studies confirm that all the films have preferential orientation along the (002) plane with hexagonal wurtzite structure. The optical transparency gradually decreases (from 95 to 80%) as the precursor concentration increases. The optical energy gap is in the range of 3·18-3·32 eV. The systematic study shows that the post-annealing process has significant impact on the quality of the films. The SEM images depict that the grain size decreases as the precursor concentration increases, and the AFM images show that the film annealed at 550°C has well defined uniform grains. The lowest dislocation density is observed for 0·3M annealed at 550°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is focused on the preparation and characterisation of conducting poly(aniline-co-o/m-toluidine)/Sb2O3 nanocomposites. These nanocomposites were synthesised by the oxidative chemical polymerisation with peroxydisulphate as an oxidant in aqueous hydrochloric acid (HCl) medium and Sb2O3 as a nanomaterial under different experimental conditions. The nanocomposites were characterised by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and conductivity measurements. FTIR-based kinetics was proposed based on the relative intensities of FTIR peaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on ester grafted high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with two different mercaptoesters. The order of functionalization, crosslinking, and C=C formations were determined and a reaction mechanism was used to explain the results. C-S stretching confirmed mercaptoester grafting onto the HDPE. increasing the percent weight of dicumly peroxide (DCP) produced higher functionalization while the butyl-3-mercaptopropionate (B3MP) system produced higher cross linking and olefin formation.

Poly(aniline) nanocomposites were obtained by polymerisation under various experimental conditions including variation of time, temperature, monomer and concentration of initiators. The ratios of imino and amino units were estimated and correlated the with polyaniline (PANI) structure. Rates of polymerisation (Rp) values were estimated by a gravimetric method. TGA counsels the thermal stability of PANI. Through FTIR study, the structure of PANI/As2O3 nanocomposites was recognised. Comparison of polyanilines produced with two different initiators was done. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible and free standing solid polymer electrolytes are prepared using solution casting technique comprising PMMA and LiNO3. The properties of the polymer system are further improved by adding nanofillers to the polymer matrix. Hence in the present work, the nanofiller Al2O3 is added to PMMA‐LiNO3 network. The increase in amorphous nature of the polymer with increase in LiNO3 and Al2O3 is revealed by XRD. The interaction of LiNO3 and Al2O3 with the polymer PMMA is analyzed by FTIR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]