Synthesis and characterization of SrBi4Ti4O15 ferroelectric filler based composite polymer electrolytes for lithium ion batteries

Composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) based on poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) (Mol.Wt similar to 6 x 10(5)) complexed with LiN(CF3SO2)(2) lithium salt and SrBi4Ti4O15 ferroelectric ceramic filler have been prepared as films. Citrate gel technique and conventional solid state technique were employed for the synthesis of the ferroelectric fillers in order to study the effect of particle size of the filler on ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolyte. Characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and temperature dependant DC conductivity studies were taken for the prepared polymer composite electrolytes. The broadening of DTA endotherms on addition of ceramic fillers to the polymer salt complex indicated the reduction in crystallinity. An enhancement in conductivity was observed with the addition of SrBi4Ti4O15 as filler to the (PEO)(8)-LiN(CF3SO2)(2) polymer salt complexes. Among the investigated samples (PEO)(8)-LiN(CF3SO2)(2) +10 wt% SrBi4Ti4O15 (citrate gel) polymer composite exhibits a maximum conductivity.