Electrochemical properties of composite electrolytes based on poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(ethylene imine) containing the inorganic silica fillers

In this study, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) polymer blends containing inorganic silica fillers were studied in order to enhance the ion conductivity and interfacial properties. Lithium perchlorate (LiClO ₄) as a salt, and silica (SiO ₂) as the inorganic filler were introduced in the polymer electrolyte composites and were examined to evaluate their use to improve the ionic conductivity. The addition of inorganic fillers in polymer electrolytes has resulted in high ionic conductivity at a room temperature. The structure and morphology of the solid polymer electrolytes were evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The ionic conductivity was measured by an AC impedance method. The enhanced conductivity was dependent on the decreased crystallinity and more heterogeneous morphologies.