Articles - Nano Progress

Abstract

In this review, we present the progress and recent advances in composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) containing micro and nano-sized materials with due attention paid to the role of multi-phases on the charge transport properties of the electrolytes. Mainly, attention is focused to provide information on the theoretical developments in the field of underlying charge transport mechanism of polymeric materials pertaining to this review article. Thus, few theoretical models relevant to present work in regards to ionic conduction in polymer electrolytes, composite polymer electrolytes and nanocomposite polymer gel electrolytes has been dealt in detail. The paradigm shift from composite polymer electrolytes to nanocomposite polymer gel electrolytes (NCPGEs) is highlighted and the possible improvement and future directions in NCPGEs are discussed. The need of the polymer electrolyte composites along with active and passive fillers is well explained. The preparation of NCPGEs by dispersing the various semiconducting, ceramic, insulating particles and various nanotubes in the nano range are overviewed. The different types of models like Semiempirical model, Effective medium theory and percolation model are well subjected. Arrhenius, Vogel – Tamman – Fulcher (VTF) and Williams, Landel and Ferry (WLF) equation studies and interprets their conductivities data. Effective medium theory model relates the conductivity enhancement to the existence of a space-charge layer at the electrolyte/filler interface. The percolation model explains the presence of two peaks in the conductivity vs weight percentage of dispersoid in the CPEs. Importance on addition of nanofillers in CPEs has been discussed well by using Tanaka’s and Tsagaropoulos’ models.