Study of a new polymer electrolyte (PVP + KYF4) for solid-state electrochemical cells

In search of electrochemical cells based on polymers other than the widely studied conducting polymers, we report the fabrication of a new electrochemical cell based on polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) complexed with KYF4 salt. Complexation of KYF4 with PVP is confirmed by infrared (IR) absorption studies. Wagnerʹs polarization studies indicate that the charge transport in this electrolyte is predominantly due to an ionic process (tion≈0.63). Using this electrolyte, an electrochemical cell with configuration K/(PVP + KYF4)/(I2 + C + electrolyte) is fabricated and its discharge characteristics reported. Short-circuit current and open-circuit voltage of this cell are found to be 1 mA and 2.5 V, respectively.