Improvement in Voltage, Thermal, Mechanical Stability and Ion Transport Properties in Polymer-Clay Nanocomposites

We report novel results on optimization of intercalated polymer-clay nanocomposite endowed with desirable properties like, (i) very high ionic conductivity similar to 10(-3) S cm(-1)) at room temperature, (ii) substantial improvement in voltage stability (similar to 5.6 V), mechanical stability (25 MPa), and thermal stability (250 degrees C) (iii) t(ion) similar to 99% and cation transport number (t(Li+)) similar to 67%: Intercalation of polymer salt (PAN)(8)LiCF3SO3 complex into dodecylamine modified montmorillonite clay (DMMT) nanometric channels has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction and Transmission electron microscopy analysis. Complex impedance spectroscopy suggests bulk electrical conduction in the high frequency region and electrode polarization effect at the low frequencies. The experimental value of conductivity, voltage, and mechanical stability is observed to be invariably higher in polymer nanocomposite film when compared with clay free polymer-salt complex film. The same is true for cation transport. The optimized polymer film serves dual purpose of electrolyte and separator in energy storage devices. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polyrn Sci 118: 2743-2753, 2010