Ionic liquid based polymer electrolyte dispersed with dedoped polyaniline nanorods

Studies on a novel nanocomposite polymer electrolyte based on ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide incorporated with dedoped polyaniline (PAni) nanorods as a filler has been reported. The effect of different concentrations of dedoped PAni nanorods on the properties of nanocomposite electrolytes has been studied for applications in rechargeable batteries. XRD and FTIR studies show that substantial conformational changes take place in the incorporation of dedoped PAni nanorods which increases the amorphicity for up to 5 wt.% of nanorod content. Room temperature ionic conductivity also increases with increasing nanorod content and becomes maximum at a value of 2.3 x 10(-3) S cm(-1) at 5 wt.% of nanorod content. Beyond 5 wt.%, phase separation takes place as evident from XRD and SEM studies and the conductivity decreases. Studies on AC electrical response show that the conductivity mechanism follows jump relaxation model. The nanocomposite electrolyte with 5 wt.% of dedoped PAni nanorods offers electrochemical stability of 53 V which is adequate for practical applications. The electrolyte system is thermally stable for up to 260 degrees C showing practical applicability. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All fights reserved.