Preparation and characterization of poly(ethylene glycol)/organo-vermiculite nanocomposite polymer electrolytes

Vermiculite (VMT) was readily intercalated by hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide to yield organo-vermiculite (OVMT), which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction measurement and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Poly(ethylene glycol)/organo-vermiculite (PEG/OVMT) nanocomposites were prepared by using the direct melt intercalation method, and its intercalation state was confirmed by transmission electron microscope. Thereafter, a lithium salt was dissolved in the PEG/OVMT nanocomposites to prepare composite polymer electrolytes. The highest conductivity was 2.1 x 10(-5) S cm(-1) at room temperature, which was obtained by AC impedance analysis when the amount of OVMT based on PEG was 1 wt%.