Preparation of Ionic Conductivity Polymer Electrolyte Film Based on Epoxidized Deproteinized Natural Rubber

Ionic conductivity polymer electrolyte film based on epoxidized deproteinized natural rubber (EDPNR) and lithium salt lithium triflate (LiCF3SO3) were prepared by solution casting technique. The EDPNR was prepared from deproteinized natural rubber latex (DNR) epoxidized in the latex stage with fresh peracetic acid 33%, which was deproteinized by incubation of the latex with 0,1 wt% urea and 1 wt% surfactant. The ionic conductivity of EDPNR mixed with lithium salt was investigated through impedance analysis. The results show that the conductivity of EDPNR/ LiCF3SO3 mixture was dependent on LiCF3SO3 salt concentration and amount of epoxy group. The highest ionic conductivity at room temperature obtained is 1,71 x 10-5 S.cm-1 at 35 wt% LiCF3SO3 and 45 mol% epoxy groups. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra showed evidence of complexation between EDPNR and LiCF3SO3. Glass transition temperature, Tg displayed an increasing trend in which are the increase in salt concentration and the increase in epoxy group concentration.

Al2O3 toughening ScSZ electrolyte fabricated by water-based tape casting technique for solid oxide fuel cells

A water-based tape casting slurry is reported to prepare the ceria and scandia co-doped zirconia (ScSZ) electrolyte films. The slurry is characterized and optimized through Zeta potential and rheological property measurements. Smooth and flat ScSZ electrolyte films are obtained by improving the sintering process. The microstructure, electrical performance, and mechanical property of ScSZ with adding different contents of Al2O3 are also investigated. The results show that a proper amount of Al2O3 has a beneficial effect on the densification of ScSZ. Significant decrease at the grain boundary resistance of ScSZ is observed by Al2O3 addition. The bending strength of the sample with 0.5 wt.% Al2O3 (ScSZ-0.5A) is about 400 MPa, which is 20% higher than pure ScSZ. The ScSZ-0.5A electrolyte film fabricated by water-based tape casting method shows appropriate electrical conductivity and high mechanical strength, which is promising for the practical application in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs).

PVA Based Polymer Electrolyte with Layered Filler Graphite for Natural Dye Sensitized Solar Cell

Graphite nanopowder is synthesized by mechanical method using ball mill and used as filler in polymer electrolyte film based on Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) for application in natural dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC). In the present work dye sensitized solar cell has been assembled using electrolyte system composed of PVA as host polymer, ethylene carbonate as plasticizer, LiI: I2 as redox couple and graphite as filler; TiO2 modified with Copper oxide (CuO) photoanode in order to provide inherent energy barrier and natural cocktail dye as sensitizer. The obtained solar cell conversion efficiency was about 3.2 % with fill factor 52% using an irradiation of 100 mW/cm2 at 25º C.