Abstract:
The growing need for sustainable and efficient energy technology has propelled notable
progress in the field of rechargeable batteries. Electrolytes are the essential part of
rechargeable battery systems which are responsible for stability and reversibility of the
battery. Rechargeable batteries that use traditional organic liquid electrolytes have been
linked to a number of safety problems in recent years. Because of this, solid polymer
electrolytes which have the advantages of shape adaptability, flexibility, stability, low
weight, and cheap manufacturing costs are being researched as viable alternatives to the
organic liquid electrolytes that are currently used in rechargeable batteries. In this study,
pure and different concentrations of Cu2+ ion-doped polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) solid
polymer electrolytes (SPEs) have been prepared by solution casting method. The
formation of complexes between the polymer and Cu2+ ions has been confirmed by
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-Visible spectroscopy. The
highest ionic conductivity of 10.70×10-4 S cm-1 has been observed in the 15% Cu2+ ions
doped PVP electrolyte at room temperature. The ionic conductivity of the best
electrolyte has been further enhanced by nanofiller effect. 0.2% TiO2 nanofiller
incorporated 15% PVP/Cu2+ electrolyte sample has become the most suitable SPE for
rechargeable batteries and it shows a maximum ionic conductivity of 1.65×10-3 S cm-1.
According to thermal stability test, 60 ⁰C could be considered an optimal operating
temperature for the rechargeable battery using this fabricated SPE.
