Synthesis and Ion Transport Studies of a New Potassium Ion-Conducting Nanocomposite Polymer Electrolyte

Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | Special Issue 01 | Page : 1496 1504
    By

    Angesh Chandra,

  • Rashmita Khakre,

  • Alok Bhatt,

  • Archana Chandra,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Government Naveen College, Saragaon, Chhattisgarh, India
  2. Research Scholar, Department of Physics, Bharti Vishwavidyalaya, Durg, Chhattisgarh, India
  3. Professor, Department of Physics, Bharti Vishwavidyalaya, Durg, Chhattisgarh, India
  4. Guest Lecturer, Department of Chemistry, Government M.M.R. P.G. College, Champa, Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract

The pursuit of safe, efficient, and sustainable energy storage solutions has intensified research on nanocomposite polymer electrolytes, especially for next-generation battery technologies. This work reports the synthesis and ion transport characteristics of potassium ion-conducting nanocomposite polymer electrolytes (NCPEs), emphasizing their structural, electrical, and electrochemical performance. To enhance ionic conductivity and mechanical strength, polymer matrices were reinforced with nanoscale ceramic fillers. A new potassium ion-conducting NCPEs: (1-x)[70PEO:30KCl] + x SiO₂ (where 0<x<20 wt.%) were synthesized via a hot-pressing method. The polymer electrolyte films combined polymer hosts with potassium salts and incorporated nano-sized ceramic filler SiO2 to disrupt polymer crystallinity and facilitate improved ion transport pathways. The optimal composition, consisting of 95% [70PEO:30KCl] and 5% SiO₂, demonstrated the highest room-temperature ionic conductivity of approximately 6.3×10⁻⁵ S·cm⁻¹. Key electrical parameters including ionic conductivity (σ), ionic mobility (μ), mobile ion concentration (n), and ionic transference number (tᵢₒₙ) were thoroughly evaluated. Structural and thermal analyses of the NCPEs were conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The optimized nanocomposite displayed enhanced ionic conduction, favorable ion transport characteristics, and improved thermal stability. These findings underscore the promise of potassium-based NCPEs as safer and more abundant alternatives to lithium-based electrolytes for solid-state energy storage applications.

Keywords: DSC, hot-press method, ionic conductivity, nanocomposite polymer electrolytes, Sem, TGA

[This article belongs to Special Issue under section in Journal of Polymer & Composites (jopc)]

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How to cite this article:
Angesh Chandra, Rashmita Khakre, Alok Bhatt, Archana Chandra. Synthesis and Ion Transport Studies of a New Potassium Ion-Conducting Nanocomposite Polymer Electrolyte. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2025; 14(01):1496-1504.
How to cite this URL:
Angesh Chandra, Rashmita Khakre, Alok Bhatt, Archana Chandra. Synthesis and Ion Transport Studies of a New Potassium Ion-Conducting Nanocomposite Polymer Electrolyte. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2025; 14(01):1496-1504. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2025/view=234015


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Special Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 14
Special Issue 01
Received 05/08/2025
Accepted 24/09/2025
Published 11/12/2025
Publication Time 128 Days
183

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