Electrical and Optical Studies of Polymer Electrolyte (PVA+KI) Films Doped with CuO Nanofillers

In this study, we investigate the impact of copper oxide (CuO) nanofillers on the electrical and structural properties of polymer composite electrolyte films. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and Potassium iodide (KI) were chosen for the polymer electrolyte and nano-CuO was synthesized and used as nano-filler in the PVA-KI matrix. PVA-KI films are doped with varying concentrations of CuO nanoparticles to explore their influence on the film's conductivity, dielectric behaviour, and optical transmittance. Electrical measurements reveal that the addition of CuO nanofillers significantly enhances the ionic conductivity of the PVA-KI matrix. The conductivity increases with the concentration of CuO up to an optimal doping level, beyond which it decreases, likely due to agglomeration of nanoparticles. The dielectric constant and loss tangent also show a notable dependence on the CuO content, reflecting improved charge transport and polarization effects within the films. The combined electrical and optical data suggest that CuO nanofillers can be effectively utilized to tailor the properties of PVA-KI polymer electrolytes for various applications, including energy storage and optoelectronic devices. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms of ion conduction and light interaction in doped polymer systems, paving the way for further research and optimization of functional polymer-based materials. DOI:https://doi.org/10.52783/pst.1008