materials

Article
Thermal Properties of Composite Polymer
Electrolytes Poly(Ethylene Oxide)/Sodium
Trifluoroacetate/Aluminum Oxide (PEO)10CF3COONa
+ x wt.% Al2O3
Miguel I. Delgado Rosero *, Nori M. Jurado Meneses and Ramiro Uribe Kaffure
Physics Department, University of Tolima, Ibagué, CP 730006, Colombia; nmjuradom@ut.edu.co (N.M.J.M.);
rauribe@ut.edu.co (R.U.K.)
* Correspondence: mirosero@ut.edu.co




Received: 27 March 2019; Accepted: 18 April 2019; Published: 7 May 2019


Abstract: Polymeric membranes of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and sodium trifluoroacetate

(PEO:CF3 COONa) combined with different concentrations of aluminum oxide (Al2 O3 ) particles were
analyzed by impedance spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry
(TGA). DSC results show changes in the crystalline fraction of PEO when the concentration of
Al2 O3 is increased. TGA analysis showed thermal stability up to 430 K showing small changes
with the addition of alumina particles. The decrease in crystalline fraction for membranes with low
Al2 O3 concentration is associated with the increase in conductivity of (PEO)10 CF3 COONa + x wt.%
Al2 O3 composites.

Keywords: polymer electrolytes; DSC; TGA; phase transitions

1. Introduction
Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are materials that have been widely investigated for their
potential use in a variety of electrochemical devices such as fuel cells, batteries, electrochromic
windows, supercapacitors, among others [1]. To be used in these devices, SPEs must show high ionic
conductivity, good electrochemical stability, and a wide thermal stability range [2]. Improvements in
these physicochemical and structural characteristics have been reported when SPEs are added with
a variety of fillers [3].
For instance, SPEs formed by poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and alkaline metallic salts such as Na+ ,
K and Li+ , show a reduction of the crystalline phase and an increase in dissolved ions mobility.
+

These changes lead to systems with relatively high ionic conductivity values (σ ~ 1 × 10−5 S cm−1 ) [4,5].
However, the need for even higher conductivity values, such as those required in various technological
applications, has led to strategies to further increase the amorphous phase by also adding plasticizers
and/or ceramic materials [6,7].
Recent reports have shown a meaningful improvement in the electrical, thermal and mechanical
properties of polymeric electrolyte membranes synthesized with the addition of inert particles of
aluminum oxide (Al2 O3 ), titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) or silicon dioxide (SiO2 ), among others [8–10].
As a result of their large specific surface, these inorganic oxides show strong Lewis acid interactions
upon the PEO matrix that create additional hopping sites and adequate pathways for ionic motion.
Particularly, in a previous study, the electrical properties of the (PEO)10 CF3 COONa + x wt.%
Al2 O3 composite system were analyzed and it was found that, for low alumina concentrations,
ionic conductivity increased by two orders of magnitude relative to the pure polymer [11].

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Materials 2019, 12, 1464 2 of 6

The improvement in thermal, electrical and mechanical properties of electrolytes based on PEO
added with ceramic particles, can be explained by the decline of the kinetics of polymer crystallization,
which increases the amorphous phase in localized regions and contributes to the formation of highly
conductive pathways [12,13].
Relevant information related to the fraction of crystalline phase in these systems, can be obtained
from the measurement of changes in melting points and the enthalpy of phase transitions [14].
In this work, we conducted a thermal analysis of (PEO)10 CF3 COONa + x wt.% Al2 O3 systems,
through the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TGA), to determine
present phases and thermal stability and to correlate these results with those of conductivity obtained
by impedance spectroscopy.

2. Materials and Methods

The PEO powder (molecular weight Mw = 1 × 106 ) and CF3 COONa from Aldrich (Darmstadt,
Germany) were vacuum dried at room temperature for 24 h and then stored in a silica gel dryer.
The polymer and the salt were weighted in a 10:1 (EO:Na) ratio and then separately dissolved in
acetonitrile under magnetic stirring for 4 h. The two obtained solutions were combined and stirred
for 4 additional hours. Then, Al2 O3 , from Aldrich (~150 mesh, or <104 µm, and 50 Å of size pore,
Darmstadt, Germany), were added to x = 0.0, 3.0, 6.0, 10.0, 20.0 and 30.0% concentrations (x = wt.
Al2 O3 100%/(wt. Al2 O3 + wt. (PEO)10 CF3 COONa)).
The mixture was kept on a low frequency magnetic agitation to avoid decantation of Al2 O3 particles
and to ensure a uniform dispersion. When the mixture reached the viscous liquid properties, it was cast
on a Petri dish and then stored in a dry atmosphere to let the solvent slowly evaporate. The resulting
membranes show a mechanical consistency and their thickness varies from 150 to 200 µm.
Samples were analyzed by DSC (MDSC 2920 TA Instruments, New Castle, DE, USA) from 220 to
450 K, at 10 K/min heating rate; nitrogen was used as a carrier gas. Thermogravimetric analysis were
performed by a 2050 TA instruments, with 10 K/min heating rate, from 303 to 660 K using nitrogen as
carrier gas.
The conductivity values were obtained by the impedance spectroscopy in a frequency ranging
from 50 Hz to 5 MHz, using blocking platinum electrodes. The impedance measurements were carried
out by using a HIOKI 3532-50 LCR impedance analyzer (Nagano, Japan), and the dc conductivity (σ)
was calculated using the relation:
l
σ= ,
AR
where l is the thickness, A is the area and R is the resistance of the sample.

3. Results and Discussion

The DSC thermogram for the pure PEO membrane is shown in Figure 1a. There, two anomalies
can be observed: One endothermic about 330 K, which corresponds to the PEO crystalline phase
melting, and one exothermic about 443 K corresponding to the polymer decomposition. The DSC
thermogram corresponding to the CF3 COONa salt is shown in Figure 1b; on it, an endothermic anomaly
about 480 K can be observed, due to salt melting. Figure 1c shows DSC results for the solid polymer
electrolyte (PEO)10 CF3 COONa; this thermogram shows two endothermic anomalies: One about 334 K,
usual in this type of membrane and that corresponds to the PEO crystalline phase melting [15–17].
The other endothermic anomaly is observed about 387 K and corresponds to the melting point of a
new crystalline phase of a complex formed by the combination of polymer and salt [18].
In Figure 2, DSC thermograms of (PEO)10 CF3 COONa + x wt.% Al2 O3 composite are shown for the
different concentrations of Al2 O3 studied. From these thermograms the values of melting temperature
Materials 2019, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 6

Materials 2019, 12, 1464 3 of 6

(Tm ) and enthalpy (∆Hm ) are obtained; these data are given in Table 1. The relative percentage of
crystallinity (χc (%)) was calculated by:

∆Hm
χc (%) = × 100,
∆Hm
0

Materials 2019,
0 12, x FOR PEER
−1 REVIEW
where ∆Hm = 203 J·g was used as standard enthalpy of fusion for 100% crystalline PEO [19]. 3 of 6

Figure 1. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograph for: (a) pure poly(ethylene oxide)
(PEO); (b) pure CF3COONa salt and (c) (PEO)10CF3COONa solid electrolyte.

In Figure 2, DSC thermograms of (PEO)10CF3COONa + x wt.% Al2O3 composite are shown for
the different concentrations of Al2O3 studied. From these thermograms the values of melting
temperature (Tm) and enthalpy (ΔHm) are obtained; these data are given in Table 1. The relative
percentage of crystallinity (χc(%)) was calculated by:
ΔH m
χ c (%) = ×100 ,
ΔH m0
Δ
whereFigure 203 J⋅g−1 was
1. Differential used ascalorimetry
scanning standard enthalpy of fusion for
(DSC) thermograph for:100% crystalline
(a) pure PEO [19].
poly(ethylene oxide)
Figure
(PEO); 1.
(b)Differential scanning
pure CF3 COONa salt calorimetry (DSC)
and (c) (PEO) thermograph for: (a) pure poly(ethylene oxide)
10 CF3 COONa solid electrolyte.
(PEO); (b) pure CF3COONa salt and (c) (PEO)10CF3COONa solid electrolyte.

In Figure 2, DSC thermograms of (PEO)10CF3COONa + x wt.% Al2O3 composite are shown for
the different concentrations of Al2O3 studied. From these thermograms the values of melting
temperature (Tm) and enthalpy (ΔHm) are obtained; these data are given in Table 1. The relative
percentage of crystallinity (χc(%)) was calculated by:
ΔH m
χ c (%) = ×100 ,
ΔH m0
where Δ 203 J⋅g−1 was used as standard enthalpy of fusion for 100% crystalline PEO [19].

Figure 2.
Figure DSC thermograms
2. DSC thermograms for
for (PEO)
(PEO)10
10CF COONa++xxwt.%
CF33COONa wt.% Al composite(x(x==0.0,
Al22OO3 3composite 0.0,3.0,
3.0,6.0,
6.0,10.0,
10.0,
20.0, and 30.0).
20.0, and 30.0).
Table 1. Endothermic anomaly enthalpies for different composites (PEO)10 CF3 COONa + x wt.% Al2 O3 .
For the sample corresponding to x = 3.0%, a significant decrease in enthalpy, and therefore in the
percentage of crystallinity,
x wt.% is observed in relation to the sample
Melting Temperature Enthalpythat does Crystallinity
not contain alumina (x =
Al
0.0%). This decrease O
2 in T (K) ∆H (J/g)
3 the percentage of crystallinity in the system could be
m m χc associated
(%) with the
interaction between 0.0the electrolyte and Al2O3: The dispersed
319.54 67.70 Al2O3 particles
33.3are coated by an
amorphous material, 3.0 which interrupts320.30
the alignment of the26.61polymer chains 13.1
and decreases the
6.0 332.19 53.68 26.4
crystallinity of the system [20,21].
10.0 332.06 56.42 27.8
20.0 332.10 58.71 28.9
30.0 335.28 62.43 30.8
Figure 2. DSC thermograms for (PEO)10CF3COONa + x wt.% Al2O3 composite (x = 0.0, 3.0, 6.0, 10.0,
20.0, and 30.0).

For the sample corresponding to x = 3.0%, a significant decrease in enthalpy, and therefore in the
percentage of crystallinity, is observed in relation to the sample that does not contain alumina (x =
0.0%). This decrease in the percentage of crystallinity in the system could be associated with the
 Table 1. Endothermic anomaly enthalpies for different composites (PEO)10CF3COONa + x wt.% Al2O3.

x wt.% Melting Temperature Enthalpy Crystallinity

Materials 2019, 12, 1464 4 of 6
Al2O3 Tm (K) ΔHm (J/g) %
0.0 319.54 67.70 33.3
For the sample corresponding to x = 3.0%, a significant decrease in
3.0 320.30 26.61 13.1
enthalpy, and therefore in the
6.0 is observed332.19
percentage of crystallinity, not contain alumina (x = 0.0%).
53.68 that does26.4
in relation to the sample
This decrease in the 10.0 332.06
percentage of crystallinity 56.42 could be27.8
in the system associated with the interaction
20.0 and Al2 O3332.10
between the electrolyte : The dispersed Al 58.71
O
2 3 particles28.9
are coated by an amorphous
30.0 the alignment
material, which interrupts 335.28of the polymer 62.43 30.8
chains and decreases the crystallinity of the
system [20,21].
However,
However,when whenthe thepercentage
percentageofofAlAl 2O3Oadded is increased, i.e., for samples with alumina
2 3 added is increased, i.e., for samples with alumina
concentration values of x ≥ 6.0%, the percentage of
concentration values of x ≥ 6.0%, the percentage of crystallinity crystallinity again
again increases
increases(see Table
(see 1).1).
Table This is is
This
possibly due to Al O particle aggregation that causes increases in crystallinity
possibly due to Al2 O3 particle aggregation that causes increases in crystallinity [22–24].
2 3 [22–24].
TheTheTGATGA thermograms
thermograms for
forthe
the(PEO)
(PEO) 10CF 3COONa + x wt.% Al2O3 system are shown in Figure 3.
10 CF3 COONa + x wt.% Al2 O3 system are shown in Figure 3.
Although not visible to the naked eye, in all
Although not visible to the naked eye, in all presented presented thermograms
thermograms (x = 3.0,
(x 10.0, 20.0
= 3.0, and20.0
10.0, 30.0),
and there
30.0),
was a loss of mass less than 4% around 325 K. This loss corresponds to the evaporation
there was a loss of mass less than 4% around 325 K. This loss corresponds to the evaporation of solvent of solvent
residues
residues (acetonitrile).
(acetonitrile).Figure
Figure33shows
showsthe thedecomposition
decomposition of of the
the sample
sampleinintwo twostages
stagesaround
around 496
496 K
K and
and 663 K. Also, the maximum mass losses are shown, obtained from
663 K. Also, the maximum mass losses are shown, obtained from the derivative of mass percentage withthe derivative of mass
percentage
respect to with respect (dotted
temperature to temperature
line on the (dotted line scale).
right-hand on the These
right-hand scale). These
thermograms thermograms
show that membranes
show that membranes are thermally stable up to 430 K, with slight variations due
are thermally stable up to 430 K, with slight variations due to the effect of the Al2 O3 concentration. to the effect of the
Al2O3 concentration.

Figure 3. Thermogravimetry
Figure 3. Thermogravimetry (TGA) thermographs
(TGA) thermographswith their
with derivatives
their (pointed
derivatives lines
(pointed referred
lines to to
referred thethe
right-hand
right-handscale) forfor
scale) different (PEO)
different 10CF
(PEO) 10 CF
3 COONa
3 +
COONax+wt.%
x Al
wt.% 2 O
Al 3 composites.
O
2 3 composites.

Figure
Figure 4 shows
4 shows conductivity
conductivity results
results as a function
as a function of the of the inverse
inverse of temperature,
of temperature, obtainedobtained
by the
by the impedance
impedance spectroscopy spectroscopy
for: Pure for: PEO
Pure PEO polymer
polymer membranes,
membranes, solidsolid polymerelectrolyte
polymer electrolyte
(PEO)
(PEO) 10 CF
10CF 3 COONa,
3COONa, and and (PEO)
(PEO) 10CF103CF 3 COONa
COONa + x+ x wt.%
wt.% Al2OAl3 2composites
O3 composites analyzed.
analyzed. From From the graphs
the graphs it
it can be seen that, for almost the whole temperature range analyzed, the highest
can be seen that, for almost the whole temperature range analyzed, the highest conductivity values conductivity values
correspond
correspond toto
the the = 3.0%
x =x 3.0% composite.
composite. These
These results
results areare consistent
consistent with
with thethe increase
increase of of
thethe amorphous
amorphous
phase
phase around
around thethe dispersed
dispersed AlAl2O23O particles,
particles,
3 which
which would
would create
create adequate
adequate pathways
pathways to to increase
increase ionic
ionic
mobility and thus improve conductivity
mobility and thus improve conductivity values. values.
Figure
Figure 4 4also
alsoshows
showsthe the Arrhenius
Arrhenius and and Vogel
VogelTammann-Fulcher
Tammann-Fulcher (VTF)
(VTF)fitting in two
fitting regions:
in two From
regions:
298 to
From 298333
to K,
333andK, from 393 to393
and from 433to K.433
For K.
temperatures rangingranging
For temperatures from 333 to 393
from 333K,toit393
is not
K, possible
it is not to
make atofitting
possible makewith either
a fitting model,
with eitherbecause
model,the phase the
because transitions observed in
phase transitions DSC occur.
observed Parameters
in DSC occur.
obtained by
Parameters these fittings
obtained by thesearefittings
in agreement with thosewith
are in agreement previously reported [11].
those previously reported [11].

Materials 2019, 12, x; doi: FOR PEER REVIEW www.mdpi.com/journal/materials

Materials 2019,12,
Materials2019, 12,1464
x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 2ofof6 6

Figure4.4. Conductivity
Conductivity as asaafunction
functionofofthetheinverse
inverseofoftemperature
temperatureforforPEO,
PEO, (PEO)CF
(PEO) 10CF3COONa
Figure 10 3 COONa
polymer electrolyte and (PEO) 10CF3COONa + x wt.% Al2O3 composite. The solid line represents the
polymer electrolyte and (PEO)10 CF3 COONa + x wt.% Al2 O3 composite. The solid line represents the
Arrheniusfitting
Arrhenius fittingand
andthe
thedotted
dottedline
linerepresents
representsthe
theVogel
Vogel Tammann-Fulcher
Tammann-Fulcher (VTF)
(VTF) fitting.
fitting.

4.5.Conclusions
Conclusions
DSC
DSCanalyses
analyseson (PEO) 10 CF103CF
on (PEO) COONa
3COONa + x wt.%
+ x Al 2 O3 composites
wt.% showed changes
Al2O3 composites showed inchanges
the crystalline
in the
phase fraction
crystalline phaseof the system,
fraction of theforsystem,
all concentration values ofvalues
for all concentration Al2 O3ofadded. TheseThese
Al2O3 added. changes in thein
changes
crystallinity of theofnew
the crystallinity thesystem resulted
new system in changes
resulted in the conductivity
in changes of the electrolyte
in the conductivity by creating
of the electrolyte by
pathways to increasetoionic
creating pathways mobility.
increase ionicThe sampleThe
mobility. withsample
3.0% alumina
with 3.0%concentration showed the highest
alumina concentration showed
conductivity at the same time
the highest conductivity at theassame
the highest
time aspercentage
the highestofpercentage
the amorphousof thephase.
amorphous phase.
Thermogravimetric
Thermogravimetricanalyses
analyses indicate
indicate thermal
thermal stability
stability in
in the
the membranes
membranes up up to
to 430
430K,K,which,
which,
together
togetherwith
withthethe
increase in conductivity
increase in conductivityas a function of temperature,
as a function suggests that
of temperature, these composites
suggests that these
can be used as
composites electrolyte
can be used separators
as electrolyte in electrochemical cells such as batteries
separators in electrochemical andas
cells such gasbatteries
sensors.and gas
sensors.
Author Contributions: Conceptualization, M.I.D.R, N.M.J.M. and R.U.K.; methodology, M.I.D.R. and N.M.J.M.;
Author Contributions:
validation, conceptualization,
M.I.D.R, N.M.J.M. and R.U.K.; M.I.D.R, N.M.J.M.N.M.J.M.;
formal analysis, and R.U.K.; methodology,
investigation, M.I.D.R.and
M.I.D.R. andN.M.J.M.;
N.M.J.M.;
resources, M.I.D.R,
validation, N.M.J.M.
M.I.D.R, N.M.J.M.andand
R.U.K.; dataformal
R.U.K.; curation, N.M.J.M.;
analysis, writing—original
N.M.J.M.; draft
investigation, preparation,
M.I.D.R. M.I.D.R,
and N.M.J.M.;
N.M.J.M. and R.U.K.; writing—review and editing, M.I.D.R, N.M.J.M. and R.U.K.; supervision, M.I.D.R.; project
resources, M.I.D.R, N.M.J.M. and R.U.K.; data curation, N.M.J.M.; writing—original draft preparation, M.I.D.R,
administration, M.I.D.R.; funding acquisition, M.I.D.R, N.M.J.M. and R.U.K.
N.M.J.M. and R.U.K.; writing—review and editing, M.I.D.R, N.M.J.M. and R.U.K.; supervision, M.I.D.R.; project
Funding: This work
administration, was funded
M.I.D.R.; by acquisition,
funding COLCIENCIAS and University
M.I.D.R, of Tolima
N.M.J.M. and R.U.K.through the Central Research Office.

Funding: This workThe

Acknowledgments: wasauthors
fundedthank the Non-Metallic
by COLCIENCIAS andSystems Phase
University of Transition Groupthe
Tolima through at Universidad del
Central Research
Valle, Colombia, for the technical support.
Office.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgments: The authors thank the Non-Metallic Systems Phase Transition Group at Universidad del
Valle, Colombia, for the technical support.
References
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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