Poly(Acrylamide-Co-Acrylic Acid)-Zinc Acetate Polymer Electrolytes: Studies Based on Structural and Morphology and Electrical Spectroscopy

Mohd Faiz Hassan, Siti Zulaikha Mohd Yusof

Department of Physics, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
School of Fundamental Science, University Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia.

DOI: 10.4236/mr.2014.22005                

Abstract

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) of polyacrylamide-co-acrylic acid (PAA) as the polymer host and zinc acetate (ZnA) as an ionic dopant were prepared using a single solvent by the solution casting technique. The amorphous and crystalline structures of film were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The surface morphology of samples was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The composition and complex formation of films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The conductivity of the PAA-ZnA films was determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. According to the XRD and FTIR analyses, all electrolyte films were in amorphous state and the existence of interaction between Zn²⁺ cations and the PAA structure confirms that the film was successfully prepared. The SEM observations reveal that the electrolyte films appeared to be rough and flat with irregularly shaped surfaces. The highest ionic conductivity (σ) of 1.82 × 10^-5 Scm^-1 was achieved at room temperature (303 K) for the sample containing 10 wt % ZnA.

Keywords

Solution Cast Technique, Solid Polymer Electrolyte, Poly(Acrylamide-Co-Acrylic Acid), Zinc Acetate, Ionic Conductivity, Impedance Spectroscopy, Fourier Infrared Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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