Effect of mechanical and electromagnetic irradiation on dielectric properties of solid polymer electrolytes

Abstract

Poly(ethylene oxide) and lithium perchlorate based electrolyte films were prepared through classical solution casting, high intensity ultrasonic (mechanical wave) assisted, microwave (electromagnetic) irradiated and ultrasonication followed by microwave irradiated solution casting methods and direct melt press technique. The complexations of these electrolytes are confirmed by X-ray diffraction measurements. The dielectric behaviour of intermediate salt concentration (EO:Li⁺=12:1) electrolyte films has been investigated by dielectric relaxation spectroscopy at ambient temperature, which is considerably affected by mechanical and electromagnetic irradiation. The ionic conductivity of melt pressed electrolyte (18.3×10^–7 S/cm) is found to be 2.4 times higher than that of the classical solution cast electrolyte (7.7×10^–7 S/cm). The conductivity and relaxation times of ultrasonic followed by microwave assisted electrolyte film obey the Arrhenius behaviour and have the activation energy 0.4 eV. The dc conductivity has nearly 4 times increase from 11.8×10^–7 to 44.7×10^–7 S/cm with rise in temperature from 27 to 55°C.