Ion-conducting polymer electrolyte based on poly (ethylene oxide) complexed with NaNO3 salt-application as an electrochemical cell

Solid polymer electrolyte films based on poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) comple xed with sodium nitrate (NaNO3) have been prepared by a solution-cast techn ique. The complexation of NaNO3 salt with PEO has been confirmed by X-ray d iffraction, infrared (IR) and optical microscopic studies. Measurements of the de conductivity in the temperature range 303 to 373 K and the transfere nce numbers have been carried out to investigate the charge transport in th is polymer electrolyte system. Transport number data show that the charge t ransport in this polymer electrolyte system is predominantly due to ions. U sing the polymer electrolyte, solid-state electrochemical cells have been f abricated. The various cell parameters are evaluated and reported. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.