Effect of Zr-Nanofiller on Structural and Thermal Properties of
PVDF-co-HFP Porous Polymer Electrolyte Membranes Doped with Mg2+ Ions

New poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-co-HFP)/ZrO2-based nanocomposite
porous polymer membranes were prepared with doping of magnesium ions using THF as solvent.
These membranes were prepared using the solvent casting technique. The optimal nanofiller (0, 2, 4,
6, 8 and 10% Zr nanopowder) was incorporated into the PVDF-co-HFP/MgTf3/ZrO2 and the
incorporation of the nanofiller results in an increase in the porosity of the prepared membranes. The
structural, morphological and thermal properties of the nanocomposite porous polymer membranes
were also investigated. The structural investigation and the identification of functional groups were
accomplished using FTIR technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was performed to ascertain the
phase of polymer membranes and the phase change that happens upon interaction with nanofiller and
Mg2+ ions. Assessment of the nanocomposite porous polymer membrane's morphology and porous
structure was performed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). DSC analysis was used to
evaluate the thermal behaviour of the nanocomposite porous membranes. The electrical and dielectric
studies confirmed the structural reformation of the polymer electrolyte materials. It was found that 8%
nanofiller is the best conducting composition for maximum ionic conductivity, dielectric constant and
Mg2+ ion mobility. The incorporation of ZrO2 nanofiller predominantly increases the number of free
ions and mobility of the charge carriers in the composite polymer electrolyte systems.