Self degradation of polymer electrolyte based dye-sensitized solar cells and their remedy

Self degradation of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) has been observed due to shrinkage of the polymer electrolytes at room temperature with a relatively high humidity atmosphere. The cell efficiency has also shown to depend on the shrinkage of the polymer. The actual interface area between the polymer electrolyte and the dye soaked nanoporous TiO₂ electrode has been observed to become reduced for alkali salt complexed poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) polymer electrolyte. This problem can relatively easily be reduced by two step casting and by incorporating ionic liquids in the polymer electrolyte. A possible reason has been sought as the reduced crystallinity and growth of spherulites in the polymer matrix.     

新型多孔凝胶电解质的制备及其在准固态柔性基染料敏化太阳电池中的应用

制备了一种新型多孔聚丙烯酸/十六烷基三甲基溴化铵聚吡咯凝胶电解质,并将其应用于柔性基染料敏化太阳电池(DSSC)。通过扫描电镜表征、热重分析测试、电化学性能测试和柔性电池光电性能测试等手段,分析了凝胶电解质对柔性基DSSC的光电性能影响。研究结果表明:随着聚吡咯的引入,提高凝胶电解质导电性以及催化电解质中的I-/I3-离子电对等性能,最终在100mW/cm2[大气质量(AM)1.5]光照条件下,测得基于该准固态凝胶电解质的柔性基DSSC光电转换效率达1.28%。     

Effect of tetrabutylammonium iodide content on PVDF-PMMA polymer blend electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cells

The influence of tetrabutylammonium iodide on the polyvinylidene fluoride-poly(methyl methacrylate)-ethylene carbonate (PVDF-PMMA-EC)-I₂ polymer blend electrolytes was investigated and optimized for use in a dye-sensitized solar cell. The different weight ratios (50, 60, 70, and 80 %) of tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI)-added PVDF-PMMA-EC-I₂ polymer electrolytes were prepared. The prepared solid polymer blend electrolytes were characterized by using various techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The FT-IR spectra revealed the interaction among all composition of polymer electrolytes. The influence of TBAI salt on the ionic conductivity of polymer electrolytes was studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The polymer electrolyte containing 60 % of TBAI in PVDF-PMMA-EC-I₂ showed the highest room temperature conductivity of 5.10?×?10^?3 S cm^?1. The fabricated DSSC using PVDF-PMMA-EC-I₂ polymer electrolytes with 60 % of TBAI showed the best performance with a short-circuit current density of 8.0 mA cm^?2, open-circuit voltage of 0.66 V, fill factor of 0.65, and the overall power conversion efficiency of 3.45 % under an illumination of 100 mW cm^?2. Hence, the weight content of organic iodide salt in polymer electrolytes influences the overall performance of dye-sensitized solar cells.     

Influence of pyrazole on the photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cell with polyvinylidene fluoride polymer electrolytes

We investigate the influence of the pyrazole content on the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/KI/I₂ electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The solid polymer electrolyte films consisting of different weight percentage ratios (0 20, 30, 40, and 50 %) of pyrazole doped with PVDF/KI/I₂ have been prepared by solution casting technique using N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) as a solvent. The as-prepared polymer electrolyte films were characterized by various techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR spectroscopy), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), alternate current (AC)-impedance analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The 40 wt% pyrazole-PVDF/KI/I₂ electrolyte exhibited the highest ionic conductivity value of 9.52?×?10^?5 Scm^?1 at room temperature. This may be due to the lower crystallinity of PVDF and higher ionic mobility of iodide ions in the electrolyte. The DSSC fabricated using this highest ion conducting electrolyte showed an enhanced power conversion efficiency of 3.30 % under an illumination of 60 mW/cm² than that of pure PVDF/KI/I₂ electrolyte (1.42 %).     

Organic dopant added polyvinylidene fluoride based solid polymer electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cells

The effect of phenothiazine (PTZ) as dopant on PVDF/KI/I₂ electrolyte was studied for the fabrication of efficient dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The different weight percentage (wt%) ratios (0, 20, 30, 40 and 50%) of PTZ doped PVDF/KI/I₂ electrolyte films were prepared by solution casting method using DMF as a solvent. The following techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and AC-impedance analysis have been employed to characterize the prepared polymer electrolyte films. The FT-IR studies revealed the complex formation between PVDF/KI/I₂ and PTZ. The crystalline and amorphous nature of polymer electrolytes were confirmed by DSC and XRD analysis respectively. The ionic conductivities of polymer electrolyte films were calculated from the AC-impedance analysis. The undoped PVDF/KI/I₂ electrolyte exhibited the ionic conductivity of 4.68×10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹ and this value was increased to 7.43×10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ when PTZ was added to PVDF/KI/I₂ electrolyte. On comparison with different wt% ratios, the maximum ionic conductivity was observed for 20% PTZ-PVDF/KI/I₂ electrolyte. A DSSC assembled with the optimized wt % of PTZ doped PVDF/KI/I₂ electrolyte exhibited a power conversion efficiency of 2.92%, than the undoped PVDF/KI/I₂ electrolyte (1.41%) at similar conditions. Hence, the 20% PTZ-PVDF/KI/I₂ electrolyte was found to be optimal for DSSC applications.     

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Polymer electrolytes: characteristics and peculiarities

Polymer electrolytes are an important component of many electrochemical devices. This paper reviews state-of-the-art of the electrochemical and physical properties of polymer electrolytes. This review mainly encompasses the properties of different salts, solvents, and polymer hosts, which are encaged in liquid electrolytes. The additions of filler in polymer electrolytes result in composite polymer electrolytes, having high mechanical integrity and ionic conductivity, that are ideal electrolyte for these applications. The next generation state-of-the-art room-temperature ionic liquids based electrolytes, which are far superior to corresponding nonionic solvent-based electrolytes, are also discussed. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Polymer electrolytes for lithium ion batteries: a critical study

Polymer electrolytes (PEs) are an essential component being used in most energy storage/conversion devices. The present review article on a brief history, advantage, and their brief application of polymer electrolyte systems. It consists of a glimpse on liquid, gel, and solid polymer electrolyte and a contrast comparison concerning benefits/disadvantages among the three. The article started with a brief introduction of polymer electrolytes followed by their varieties and extreme uses. The role of host polymer matrix by taking numerous examples of polymer electrolyte published by the different renowned group of the concerned field has been explored. The criteria for selection of appropriate host polymer, salt, inorganic filler/clay, and aprotic solvents to be used in polymer electrolyte have been discussed in detail. The mostly used polymer, salt, solvents, and inorganic filler/clay list has been prepared in order to keep the data bank at one place for new researchers. This article comprises different methodologies for the preparation of polymer electrolyte films. The different self-proposed mechanisms (like VTF, WLF, free volume theory, dispersed/intercalated mechanisms, etc.) have been discussed in order to explain the lithium ion conduction in polymer electrolyte systems. A numerous characterization techniques and their resulting analysis have been summarized from the different published reports at one place for better awareness of the scientific community/reader of the area.     

A novel TiO2 nanoparticles/nanowires composite core with ZrO2 nanoparticles shell coating photoanode for high-performance dye-sensitized solar cell based on different electrolytes

The novel TiO₂ nanopartilces/nanowires (TNPWs) composite with ZrO₂ nanoparticles (ZNPs) shell-coated photoanodes were prepared to fabricate high-performance dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) based on different types of electrolytes. Hafnium oxide (HfO₂) is a new and efficient blocking layer material applied over the TNPWs-ZNPs core-shell photoanode film. TiO₂ nanoparticles (TNPs) and TiO₂ nanowires (TNWs) were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). DSSCs were fabricated using the novel photoanodes with an organic sensitizer D149 dye and different types of electrolytes namely liquid electrolyte, ionic liquid electrolyte, solid-state electrolyte, and quasi-solid-state electrolyte. The DSSC-4 made through the novel core-shell photoanode using quasi-solid-state electrolyte showed better photocurrent efficiency (PCE) as compared to the other DSSCs. It has such photocurrent-voltage characteristics: short circuit photocurrent (Jsc)?=?19 mA/cm², the open circuit voltage (Voc)?=?650 mV, fill factor (FF)?=?65 %, and PCE (η)?=?8.03 %. The improved performance of DSSC-4 is ascribed to the core-shell with blocking layer photoanode could increased electron transport and suppressed recombination of charge carriers at the TNPWs-ZNPs/dye/electrolyte interface.     

Effect of back electrode on photovoltaic properties of crystal-violet-dye-doped solid-state thin film

Recently, organic/polymeric materials are being widely used to develop photovoltaic devices. In our earlier work, we have studied the photovoltaic property of crystal violet in solid-state photoelectrochemical cell (PEC), but the power conversion efficiency is quite low. In this work, we have used aluminium-coated mylar as a back electrode to enhance the power conversion efficiency. Because of the insertion of a reflecting back electrode, the charge carriers are confined in the active layer which enhances the efficiency from 0.144% to 0.670%. Thin film polymer PEC has been prepared by using optically active crystal violet dye. The dye was dispersed in polyvinyl alcohol used as an inert polymer binder and polyethylene oxide complexed with lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄) ion salt as a solid electrolyte with ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate as plasticisers. With this blend, two cells have been prepared. In one cell, this blend is sandwiched between indium-tin-oxide-coated glass plate and aluminium plate whereas the modification of the cell is done using highly polished aluminium-coated mylar sheet in place of Al electrode. Dark I–V characteristics are measured and compared for these cells. Improvement of photovoltaic parameters has been observed in the case of polished mylar electrode.     

Effect of thermal history and characterization of plasticized,composite polymer electrolyte based on PEO and tetrapropylammonium iodide salt (Pr4N+I-)

The search for anionic conductors based on solid polymer electrolytes is important for the development of photo-electrochemical (PEC) solar cells due to their many favourable chemical and physical properties. Although solid polymer electrolytes have been extensively studied as cation, mainly lithium ion, conductors for applications in secondary batteries, their use as anionic conductors have not been studied in greater detail. In a previous paper we reported the application of a PEO based iodide ion conducting electrolyte in a PEC solar cell. This electrolyte had the composition PEO: Pr₄N⁺I^? = 9:1 with 50 wt.% ethylene carbonate (EC). In this work we have studied the effect of incorporating alumina filler on the properties of this electrolyte. The investigation was extended to electrical and dielectric measurements including high frequency impedance spectroscopy and thermal analysis.In the DSC themograms two endothermic peaks have been observed on heating, one of these peaks is attributed with the melting of the PEO crystallites, while the other peak with a melting temperature ~ 30 °C is attributed to the melting of the EC rich phase. The melting temperature of both these peaks shows a marked variation with alumina content in the electrolyte. The temperature dependence of the conductivity shows that there is an abrupt conductivity increase in the first heating run evidently due to the melting of the EC rich phase. High conductivity values are retained at lower temperatures in the second heating. Conductivity isotherms show the existence of two maxima, one at ~ 5% Al₂O₃ content and the other at ~ 15%. The occurrence of these two maxima has been explained in terms of the interactions caused by alumina grains, the crystallinity and melting of the PEO rich phase. As seen from latent heat of melting, the crystallinity of the electrolyte has reduced considerably during the first heating run. In contrast to the conductivity enhancement caused by ceramic fillers in PEO-based cation containing electrolytes, no conductivity enhancement has been observed in the present PEO based anionic conducting materials by adding alumina except at low temperatures.     

Investigations on electrical properties of (PVA:NaF) polymer electrolytes for electrochemical cell applications

Solid polymer electrolytes based on poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) complexed with sodium fluoride (NaF) at different weight percent ratios were prepared using solution cast technique. The structural properties of these electrolyte films were examined by XRD studies. The XRD data revealed that the amorphous domains of PVA polymer matrix increased with increase of NaF salt concentration. The complexation of the salt with the polymer was confirmed by FT-IR studies. Electrical conductivity was measured in the temperature range of 303–373 K and the conductivity was found to increase with the increase of dopant concentration as well as temperature. The dielectric constant (ε′) increased with the increase in temperature and decreased with the increase in frequency. A loss peak was identified at 365 K in the dielectric loss spectra and is attributed to the orientation of polar groups. Measurement of transference number was carried out to investigate the nature of charge transport in these polymer electrolyte films using Wagner’s polarization technique and Watanabe technique. Transport number data showed that the charge transport in these polymer electrolyte systems was predominantly due to ions and in particular due to anions. Using these polymer electrolytes, solid state electrochemical cells were fabricated. Various cell parameters like open circuit voltage (OCV), short circuit current (SCC), power density and energy density were determined.     

MnO2-polypyrrole conducting polymer composite electrodes for electrochemical redox supercapacitors

Redox supercapacitors using electrochemically synthesised MnO₂-polypyrrole composite electrodes have been fabricated with different electrolytes, namely polymer electrolyte film (polyvinyl alcohol, PVA-H₃PO₄ aqueous blend), aprotic liquid electrolyte (LiClO₄-propylene carbonate, PC) and polymeric gel electrolyte [poly methyl methacrylate, (PMMA)-Ethylene carbonate (EC)-Propylene carbonate (PC)-NaClO₄]. The capacitors have been characterised using galvanostatic charge-discharge methods. The cell with aqueous PVA-H₃PO₄ shows non-capacitive behaviour owing to some reversible chemical reaction of MnO₂ with water while the MnO₂-polypyrrole composite is found to be a suitable electrode material for redox supercapacitors with aprotic (non-aqueous) electrolytes. The solid state supercapacitor based on MnO₂-polypyrrole composite electrodes with gel electrolyte gives stable values of capacitance of 10.0–18.0 mF cm⁻² for different discharge current densities.     

Natural polymer-based electrolytes for electrochemical devices: a review

Polymer electrolytes are an important component of many electrochemical devices. Researchers have carried out a significant work for the development of polymer electrolytes. This paper reviews the recent developments in the area of polymer electrolytes using aqueous and nonaqueous-based natural polymers for developing a cheaper, ecofriendly, biodegradable, and widely used electrolytes as a substitute for existing synthetic polymer electrolytes. This paper also encompasses the merits and demerits of the different natural polymers used by the researcher. There is a scope to develop a nonaqueous-based natural polymer electrolyte as an alternate for synthetic polymer electrolyte for batteries and other electronic devices.     

电子辐照改性PAN/PEO基体凝胶电解质对染料敏化太阳电池性能的提高

采用电子束（EB）对聚丙烯腈/聚氧化乙烯（PAN/PEO）凝胶电解质进行了剂量为13～260 kGy的辐照, 并对辐照改性的电解质组装的染料敏化太阳电池(DSSC)进行了性能测量。 结果表明, 改性后的DSSC的光电转化效率比改性前的高; 并且随EB辐照剂量的增加, DSSC效率先迅速增加(0～65 kGy), 然后缓慢减小(65～130 kGy)直至趋于一个平衡值(130～260 kGy)。 提升DSSC效率的最佳辐照剂量为65 kGy, 此时效率提高了约36%。 对比DSSC短路电流、 开路电压和填充因子随辐照剂量的变化, 发现DSSC效率的提高主要是由短路电流的提高引起的。 测量表明, 辐照改性后的DSSC时间稳定性得到了改善, 并且辐照剂量越高, 稳定性的改善越明显。 In this work, PAN/PEO (polyacrylonitrile/polyethylene oxide) based gel electrolyte was irradiated by electron beam (EB) with dose from 13 to 260 kGy. Then, DSSC (dye sensitized solar cell) was fabricated by the irradiated electrolyte and characterized. The results show that the efficiency of the DSSC fabricated by irradiated electrolyte is promoted comparing with DSSC fabricated by un irradiated electrolyte. And with irradiation dose increasing, the DSSC efficiency increases rapidly at first (0～65 kGy), then, drops down slowly (65～130 kGy), finally trends to a stable value (130～260 kGy). It indicates that there is an optimal irradiation dose, at which the promotion of DSSC efficiency is the highest, approximate 36%. Observed from the change of short circuit current, open circuit voltage and fill factor, short circuit current promotion by EB irradiation is found to be the main reason of DSSC performance promotion. The time stability measurement of the DSSC indicates that EB irradiation on PAN/PEO electrolyte reduces the loss of efficiency and the limiting effects become more apparent as the irradiation dose increases.     

Effect of NH4I and I2 concentration on agar gel polymer electrolyte properties for a dye-sensitized solar cell

Gel polymer electrolytes were prepared using agar polymer host, NH₄I, and I₂ salts. The sample of agar paste with 1.0 M of NH₄I and 0.2 μM of I₂ exhibits the highest conductivity and lowest viscosity values at room temperature of (2.64?±?0.19)?×?10^?3?S?cm^?1 and 1.17?±?0.29 Pa?s, respectively. All of the gel polymer electrolytes display Arrhenian behavior, and the optimum agar paste gave the lowest activation energy of 0.25 eV. It also had a good physical appearance compared with the other samples. This gel polymer electrolyte had a good potential and was applicable to a role as electrolyte in ITO-ZnO (N719 dye)/agar paste?+?1.0 M NH₄I?+?0.2 μM I₂/Au-Pd-ITO dye-sensitized solar cell.     

Effects of Al2O3 nanofiller and EC plasticizer on the ionic conductivity enhancement of solid PEO-LiCF3SO3 solid polymer electrolyte

A solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) is synthesized by solution casting technique. The SPE uses poly(ethylene oxide) PEO as a host matrix doped with lithium triflate (LiCF₃SO₃), ethylene carbonate (EC) as plasticizer and nano alumina (Al₂O₃) as filler. The polymer electrolytes are characterized by Impedance Spectroscopy (IS) to determine the composition of the additive which gives the highest conductivity for each system. At room temperature, the highest conductivity is obtained for the composition PEO-LiCF₃SO₃-EC-15%Al₂O₃ with a value of 5.07 10^− 4 S/cm. The ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolytes increases with temperature and obeys the Arrhenius law. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies indicate that the conductivity increase is due to an increase in amorphous content which enhances the segmental flexibility of polymeric chains and the disordered structure of the electrolyte. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra show the occurrence of complexation and interaction among the components. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show the changes morphology of solid polymer electrolyte.     

Utilization of saffron (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Crocus sativus L.</Emphasis>) as sensitizer in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs)

Photoelectrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been prepared using nanosized titanium dioxide that have soaked in a solution of different saffron (Crocus sativus L.) spice content in ethanol. The optimized polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based gel polymer electrolyte with 40.93 wt.% ethylene carbonate, 37.97 wt.% propylene carbonate, 4.37 wt.% tetrapropylammonium iodide, 9.86 wt.% PAN, 1.24 wt.% 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide, 4.35 wt.% lithium iodide and 1.28 wt.% iodine has been used as the electrolyte for DSSC. The electrolyte has conductivity of 2.91 mS cm^?1 at room temperature (298 K). DSSCs were also sensitized with saffron solution that has been added with 30 wt.% chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) co-adsorbent and designated as DSSC P4. The solar cell converts light-to-electricity at an efficiency of 0.31%. This is 29% enhancement in efficiency for the DSSC without addition of CDCA in the saffron-ethanol solution. The DSSC exhibits current density at short-circuit (J _sc ) of 1.26 mA cm^?2, voltage at open circuit (V _oc ) of 0.48 V and 51% fill factor. DSSC P4 also exhibits the highest incident photon-to-current density of more than 40% at 340 nm wavelength.     

PEO electrolytes containing dioctyl phthalate (DOP) for dye-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO2 solar cells

In this paper, we aim to prepare polymer electrolytes consisting of NaI and I₂ dissolved in poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and dioctyl phthalate (DOP) as an additive and apply the electrolytes to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Upon the incorporation of salt, the phthalic-stretching C=O bands of DOP in Fourier transform infrared spectra shifted to a lower wave number (Δf = 93 cm⁻¹), confirming the unusual strong complex formation between sodium ions and phthalic oxygen. Coordinative interactions and structural changes of PEO/NaI/I₂/DOP electrolytes have also been characterized by wide angle X-ray scattering, presenting an almost amorphous structure of the polymer electrolytes. The ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolytes reached ∼10^–4 S/cm at room temperature at the mole ratio of [EO]:[Na]:[DOP] = 10:1:0.5, as determined by the four-probe method. DSSC using the polymer electrolytes and conductive indium tin oxide glasses exhibited 2.9% of overall energy conversion efficiency (=P _max/P _in × 100) at one sun condition (100 mW/cm²). The good interfacial contact between the electrolytes and the dye-attached nanocrystalline TiO₂ layers were verified by field-emission scanning electron microscopy.     

Role of polyvinyl alcohol in the conductivity behaviour of polyethylene glycol-based composite gel electrolytes

An attempt has been made in the present work to combine gel and composite polymer electrolyte routes together to form a composite polymeric gel electrolyte that is expected to possess high ionic conductivity with good mechanical integrity. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) based composite gel electrolytes using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as guest polymer have been synthesized with 1 molar solution of ammonium thiocyanate (NH₄SCN) in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and electrically characterized. The ionic conductivity measurements indicate that PEG:PVA:NH₄SCN-based composite gel electrolytes are superior (σ _max = 5.7 × 10⁻² S cm⁻¹) to pristine electrolytes (PEG:NH₄SCN system) and conductivity variation with filler concentration remains within an order of magnitude. The observed conductivity maxima have been correlated to PEG:PVA:NH₄SCN-and PVA:NH₄SCN-type complexes. Temperature dependence of conductivity profiles exhibits Arrhenius behaviour in low temperature regime followed by VTF character at higher temperature.      

Electrochemical performance of plasticized PEO-LiTf complex-based composite gel polymer electrolytes with the addition of barium titanate

Gel electrolytes and solid electrolytes have been reported as a potential element to slow down the polysulfide shuttle by reducing its mobility in the electrolytes. The preparation of sulfur-conductive polymer composites, or sulfur-carbon composites, has been reported as softening the impact of the shuttle effects. Unlike Li-ion batteries so far, no electrolyte is found to be optimal for Li–S batteries at all conditions. Taking into account all these factors, in the present study, an attempt has been made to develop solid polymer electrolytes in conjunction with non-aqueous liquid electrolytes along with inert fillers for Li–S batteries. Poly-ethylene oxide (PEO)-based composite gel polymer electrolytes (CGPE) comprising a combination of plasticizers, namely 1,3-dioxolane (DIOX)/tetraethylene glycol dimethylether (TEGDME) and a lithium salt (LiTf) with the addition of ceramic filler, barium titanate (BaTiO₃) have been prepared using a simple solution casting technique in an argon atmosphere. The as-prepared polymer electrolyte films were subjected to SEM, ionic conductivity, TG/DTA, and FTIR analyses. A symmetric cell composed of Li/CGPE/Li was assembled, and the variation of interfacial resistance as a function of time was also measured. The ionic conductivity was found to be increased as a function of temperature. The lithium transference number (Li_t ⁺) was measured, and the value was calculated as 0.7 which is sufficient for battery applications. The electrochemical stability window of the sample was studied by linear sweep voltammetry, and the polymer electrolyte film was found to be stable up to 5.7 V. The TG/DTA analysis reveals that this CGPE is thermally stable up to 350 °C. The compatibility studies exhibited that CGPE has better interracial properties with lithium metal anode. The interaction between the PEO and salt has been identified by an FTIR analysis.