Synergetic effect of TiO₂ nano filler additives on conductivity and dielectric properties of PEO/PVP nanocomposite electrolytes for electrochemical cell applications

Sodium-ion conducting PEO/PVP blend based solid polymer electrolyte films complexed with NaIO4 salt and nano-sized TiO2 fillers are fabricated by employing a solution casting technique for Na-ion battery applications. Measurements of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) are carried out to investigate the crystallinity and thermal stability of the solid polymer electrolytes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies are performed to understand the modifications in surface morphological features and to evaluate the size and distribution of dispersed nano-sized TiO2 fillers. The room temperature ionic conductivities of polymer electrolyte films are investigated by impedance analysis in the frequency range 1 MHz - 1 Hz. The nano-sized TiO2 (3 wt%) filled composite electrolyte of 'PEO/PVP/NaIO4 (10 wt%)' demonstrates a maximum room temperature conductivity of 9.82 X 10-6 S/cm. The influence of TiO2 filler on conductivity and dielectric properties are presented in this report.