Effect of incorporation of different plasticizers on structural and ion transport properties of PVA-LiClO4 based electrolytes

To date high ionic conducting polymer electrolytes are of great interest because of their potential applications in various electrochemical devices such as batteries, fuel cells, solar cells and super capacitors etc., as electrolytes. Ion conduction through polymer electrolytes can occur mostly in amorphous environment exists above their glass transition temperature (T-g). In order to improve ionic conductivity, many approaches such as addition of plasticizer, blending of polymers, nano composite have been employed. This paper reviews the influence of different plasticizers/additives on the ion transport mechanism of Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-LiClO4 polymer electrolytes since poly vinyl alcohol is a semi crystalline, synthetic biodegradable polymer and lithium perchlorate is one of the most moisture resistant lithium salts. This review also reveals the relation between dynamical disorder in polymer electrolyte with ionic conductivity.