PEO/PVDF-based gel polymer electrolyte by incorporating nano-TiO2 for electrochromic glass

To develop high performance mixed matrix gel polymer electrolyte, the synergistic effect of blending PVDF (PEO/PVDF weigh ratio of 85:15) and adding nano-TiO2 (0.5-2 wt.%) to traditional monomer poly (ethylene oxide) was investigated. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that poly (ethylene oxide)/poly (vinylidene fluoride) blend had an excellent thermal performance. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that poly (ethylene oxide)/poly (vinylidene fluoride) blend leads to lower crystallinity and the amorphicity of corresponding gel polymer electrolyte increases with increasing nano-TiO2 concentration. The maximum ionic conductivity (2.12 x 10(-6) and 6.37 x 10(-6) S/cm) of poly (ethylene oxide)/-(TiO2)(0.5) and poly (ethylene oxide)/poly (vinylidene fluoride)/-(TiO2)(0.5) gel polymer electrolyte at room temperature (25 A degrees C) were obtained, respectively. The prepared poly (ethylene oxide)/poly (vinylidene fluoride)-TiO2 gel polymer electrolyte demonstrated about 2.6 and 1.8-fold increment in the fracture strength as compared to that of poly (ethylene oxide) gel polymer electrolyte and poly (ethylene oxide)-TiO2 gel polymer electrolyte. The average transmittance of poly (ethylene oxide)/poly (vinylidene fluoride)-TiO2 gel polymer electrolyte was about 90 % in the visible region. With good electrical, mechanical and optical performance, it is very suitable for being applied in electrochromic glass. [GRAPHICS] .