Complexion Formation in PVA/PEO/CuCl2 Solid Polymer Electrolyte

Solid polymer electrolyte films based on polymer blends of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), with different concentration of copper (II) chloride (CuCl2) were prepared using casting technique. Optical studies were performed using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. The optical properties of these films were varied by varying CuCl2 concentration. The results show the absorption edge for electrolyte samples shifts toward a lower energy region by increasing the salt concentration, leading to the band gap reduction. The band gap energy data showed that the incorporation of CuCl2 into the polymeric system causes charge transfer complexes in the blend polymer, which lead to increase in the electrical conductivity, by providing additional charges in the lattice. The PVA/PEO/CuCl2 solid polymer electrolyte films exhibit good UV shielding properties in the wavelength range from 190 to 400 nm.