High-performance PVdF-HFP/PEG-IL composites: The combined effects of PEG and ionic liquid on proton conductivity and dielectric characteristics

This study explores the influence of varying polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentrations on the properties of PVdF-HFP/PEG-IL polymer composites through comprehensive characterization techniques, including FTIR, SEM, TGA, DMA, XRD and the detailed assessments of proton conductivity, dielectric properties, and relaxation dynamics. In terms of conductivity, the addition of PEG markedly improves proton conductivity. The PVdF-HFP/PEG40-IL composite exhibits the highest conductivity, reaching 1.96 × 10⁻² S/m at 1 MHz and 300 K, and increasing to 4.27 × 10⁻² S/m at 420 K. Dielectric properties show that the dielectric constant (ε′) increases with PEG content at low frequencies but decreases at higher frequencies due to reduced ionic polarization. Notably, PVdF-HFP/PEG40-IL achieves a dielectric constant of 3.39 × 10⁶ at 20 Hz, which decreases to 30.34 at 1 MHz. Dielectric loss (ε'') also rises with temperature, with PVdF-HFP/PEG40-IL demonstrating the highest dielectric loss, indicative of superior proton conduction and polarization capabilities. Relaxation dynamics, as evidenced by tanδ, reveal that relaxation time significantly decreases with both increased PEG content and temperature, dropping from 1.06 × 10⁻⁴ s to 2 × 10⁻⁶ s as PEG concentration increases from 10 % to 40 %. This reduction in relaxation time correlates with enhanced proton conductivity and faster dipole relaxation, indicating PEG effect as a plasticizer that reduces polymer viscosity and improves ion transport. In conclusion, incorporating PEG into PVdF-HFP-IL composites leads to substantial improvements in proton conductivity, dielectric properties, and relaxation dynamics. The results highlight the crucial role of PEG in optimizing the performance of polymer electrolyte composites, making them effective candidates for advanced energy storage and conversion applications.