Effect of TiO 2 on ion transport properties and dielectric relaxation of sodium ion-conducting novel PEO/PAN-blended solid polymer electrolyte

In the present manuscript, a comprehensive study of temperature-dependent ionic conductivity, dielectric behaviour, and thermal, structural, and morphological characteristics of nano-composite polymer electrolyte (NCPE) films has been performed. NCPE films were prepared by hot-press method from a blend of two polymers, Poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) and Poly (acrylonitrile) (PAN), complexed with sodium perchlorate (NaClO 4 ) complexing salt and titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanofiller. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) has been used to investigate electrical and dielectric properties and their correlations. The effect of TiO 2 concentration on ionic conductivity and dielectric relaxation has been investigated at different temperature ranges. Both the smoother surface and the presence of all essential components were verified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDAX), respectively. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) revealed high thermal stability, and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) confirmed enhanced amorphous phase. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) curve exhibits excellent reversibility and cyclability. Graphic abstract Synthesis of ion conducting polymer electrolytes and their ionic conductivity study by ac impedance spectroscopy technique.