Ion transport and structural effects of Mn–Prussian blue analogue fillers in PEO/PVDF-based polymer electrolytes
摘要
Composite polymer electrolytes based on a PEO/PVDF (90:10) matrix containing NaClO4 and Mn–Prussian Blue analogue (Mn-PBA, Na2MnFe(CN)6) nanoparticles were investigated to elucidate the role of electroactive fillers on sodium-ion transport in solid polymer electrolytes. Structural and thermal analyses show that Mn-PBA incorporation modifies the polymer microstructure by reducing PEO crystallinity and enhancing segmental mobility at intermediate filler loadings. An optimal Mn-PBA content of 7 wt.% leads to the highest ionic conductivity within the studied range (~ 2.5 × 10–6 S cm⁻1 at room temperature) and increases the Na⁺ transference number from 0.23 to 0.28. The temperature dependence of ionic conductivity follows a Vogel–Tammann–Fulcher behavior, indicating that ion transport is strongly coupled to polymer segmental dynamics. X-ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis reveal that low filler contents disrupt long-range crystalline order, whereas higher loadings promote partial structural reorganization due to filler aggregation. Electrochemical stability measurements indicate stability within the voltage range relevant for sodium-ion battery studies. While the absolute room-temperature conductivity remains limited, a clear relationship between structural evolution and sodium-ion transport is observed in the composite electrolyte.