Study on the electrical conduction in poly (ethylene oxide) doped with calcium carbonate

Abstract

This work is based on studying the alternating current (AC) electrical properties of poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) films doped with ultrafine calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The composite films with 80 μm thickness were prepared by casting method using the solution containing PEO resin, CaCO3, and water, forming a polymeric fluid system. The impedance was measured in the frequency range from 1 to 50 kHz at different temperatures. The concentrations of CaCO3 are 0, 1, 4, 6, and 10% by weight. From impedance results, it was found that the AC conductivity decreases with increasing dopant concentration and increases with increasing temperature. The values of the dielectric constant and the dielectric loss decrease with increasing frequency. The calculated activation energy and the relaxation time showed dependence on frequency and temperature. The determined values of the refractive index decrease with increasing frequency and CaCO3 concentration and increase with increasing temperature. The observed decreases in the AC-electrical quantities of the prepared thin films (fluid system) are attributed to the presence of water traces that enhance the polarization effects. The decreases in values of dielectric constants and conductivity indicate that the doped PEO system does not behave as a solid polymer electrolyte with enhanced ionic conduction.