Studies on Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone (PVP) and Tapioca-Based Polymer Nanocomposites for Solid Polymer Electrolyte Applications in Batteries

Blending polymers has wide applications in batteries, since it possess different physical and chemical properties. In this study blending of PVP/tapioca and PVP/tapioca/polyamide have been prepared and characterized. The compatibility or miscibility of the polymers at the molecular level determines the new properties of the polymer blends. The synthesised polymer blends were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Acoustical and excess parameters were studied for blends of PVP/tapioca and PVP/tapioca/polyamide in organic solids. By measuring ultrasonic velocity and adiabatic compressibility, the excess parameters were used to determine the nature of polymer interactions in the solvent.The topographical images are shown small particles approximately 50 nm in size, medium particles 100 nm in size, and large particles 175 nm in size were all observed. All particles exhibited a lobed-type fine structure; for the 175 nm sized particles, the lobes were 50 nm – 175 nm in size and appeared evenly distributed around the center of the particles.