Structural, conductivity, and dielectric characterization of PEO–PEG blend composite polymer electrolyte dispersed with TiO2 nanoparticles

A solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) composites consisting blend of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as the polymer host with LiCF₃SO₃ as a Li⁺ cation salt and TiO₂ nanoparticle which acts as a filler were prepared using solution-casting technique. The SPE films were characterized by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared analysis to ensure complexation of the polymer composites. Frequency-dependent impedance spectroscopy observation was used to determine ionic conductivity and dielectric parameters. Ionic conductivity was found to vary with increasing salt and filler particle concentrations in the polymer blend complexes. The optimum ambient temperature conductivity achieved was 2.66?×?10^?4?S?cm^?1 for PEO (65 %), PEG (15 %), LiCF₃SO₃ (15 %), ethylene carbonate (5 %), and TiO₂ (3 %) using weight percentage. The dielectric relaxation time obtained from a loss tangent plot is fairly consistent with the conductivity studies. Both Arrhenius and VTF behaviors of all the composites confirm that the conductivity mechanism of the solid polymer electrolyte is thermally activated.     

Influence of NaY on the morphology and conductivity characteristics of poly(ethylene oxide)-LiClO4 electrolyte with plasticizer EC

A novel solid-state composite polymer electrolyte (CPE), based on a polymer, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), alkali metal salts, and NaY molecular sieve powders with a small amount of low molecular weight plasticizer, ethylene carbonate (EC) is investigated. (PEO)₁₆LiClO₄ polymer metal salt complexes with 5 wt% EC, and different content of NaY are prepared by the solution casting technology. The crystallization characteristic, surface morphology, and ionic conductivity of the CPE systems are studied using X-ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer, and impedance spectroscopy. It is found that NaY incorporation has a beneficial effect on the enhancement of ionic conductivity, increasing two orders of magnitude. XRD spectra show that the NaY has a major influence on the crystallization process of polymer matrix. By incorporating NaY, the crystallinity degree of PEO matrix obviously decreases. SEM images show a dramatic modification of surface morphology, the surface spherulites of polymer matrix disappear, and ultra-branched and cross-linked framework structure forms, which play an important role in ion transport and enhancing the tensile strength (TS). The TS is achieved 2.12 MPa with the content of 35 wt% NaY, far higher than the 0.17 MPa with (PEO)₁₆LiClO₄–5 wt% EC. In addition, it is demonstrated for the first time that EC affects the network structure of the molecular sieve and leads to exhibit enhanced ionic conductivity of electrolyte maintaining for a long time.     

Poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based,sodium ion-conducting‚ solid polymer electrolyte films,dispersed with Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> filler,for applications in sodium ion cells

The studies on solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) films with high ionic conductivity suitable for the realization of all solid-state Na-ion cells? form the focal theme of the work presented in this paper. The SPE films are obtained by the solution casting technique using the blend solution of poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) with ethylene carbonate (EC) and propylene carbonate (PC) and complexed with sodium nitrate. Structural and thermal studies of SPE films are done by XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, and TGA techniques. Surface morphology of the films is studied using the FESEM. The ionic conductivity of SPE films is determined from the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies. For the SPE film with 16 wt% of NaNO₃ used for reacting with the polymer blend of PEO with EC and PC, the ionic conductivity obtained is around 1.08 × 10^?5 S cm^?1. Addition of the Al₂O₃ as the filler material is found to enhance the ionic conductivity of the SPE films. The studies on the Al₂O₃ modified SPE film show an ionic conductivity of 1.86 × 10^–4 S cm^?1, which is one order higher than that of the SPE films without the filler content. For the SPE film dispersed with 8 wt% of Al₂O₃, the total ion transport number observed is around 0.9895, which is quite impressive from the perspective of the applications in electrochemical energy storage devices. From the cyclic voltammetry studies, a wide electrochemical stability window up to 4 V is observed, which further emphasizes the commendable electrochemical behavior of these SPE films.     

Study of ion transport and materials properties of K+-ion conducting solid polymer electrolyte (SPE): [(1-x) PEO: xCH3COOK]

Study of ion transport behavior in K⁺-ion conducting solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) films: [(1-x) PEO: xCH₃COOK] has been reported. Poly (ethylene oxide) PEO has been used as polymeric host and potassium acetate: CH₃COOK as complexing salt. SPE films in varying salt concentrations have been prepared by hot-press cast method. SPE film: [95PEO: 5CH₃COOK] has been identified as Optimum Conducting Composition (OCC) with room temperature conductivity (σ _rt) ~ 2.74 × 10⁻⁷ S/cm. As a consequence of salt complexation in polymeric host, σ _rt-enhancement of approximately two orders of magnitude was achieved in SPE OCC film. Ion transport property has been characterized in terms of ionic conductivity (σ), total ionic (t _ion)/cation (t ₊) transference numbers using different ac/dc techniques. Temperature-dependent conductivity measurement was done to explain mechanism of ion transport and to evaluate activation energy (E _a). XRD, FTIR, and DSC techniques were used to study materials property in SPE OCC film which also confirmed the complexation of salt in the polymeric host as well as increase in degree of amorphousity.

     

Morphology,chemical interaction,and conductivity of a PEO-ENR50 based on solid polymer electrolyte

A solid polymer electrolytes (SPE) comprising blend of poly(ethylene oxide; PEO) and epoxidized natural rubber as a polymer host and LiCF₃SO₃ as a dopant were prepared by solution-casting technique. The SPE films were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy to determine the surface morphology, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimeter to determine the crystallinity and thermogravimetric analysis to confirm the mass decrease caused by loss of the solvent. While the presence of the complexes was investigated by reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was conducted to obtain ionic conductivity. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that a rough surface morphology of SPE became smoother with addition of salt, while ATR-FTIR spectroscopy analysis confirmed the polymer salt complex formation. The interaction occurred between the salt, and ether group of polymer host where the triple peaks of ether group in PEO merged and formed one strong peak at 1,096 cm⁻¹. Ionic conductivity was found to increase with the increase of salt concentration in the polymer blend complexes. The highest conductivity achieved was 1.4 × 10⁻⁴ Scm⁻¹ at 20 wt.% of LiCF₃SO₃, and this composition exhibited an Arrhenius-like behavior with the activation energy of 0.42 eV and the preexponential factor of 1.6 × 10³ Scm⁻¹.     

Effects of ionic liquid on the hydroxylpropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) solid polymer electrolyte

Biodegradable solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) is prepared by solution-casting technique using low-cost cellulose derivative, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) as a host polymer. Owing to the hydrophobic nature of this polymer, it is predicted to exhibit low ionic conductivity upon addition of magnesium trifluoromethanesulfonate (MgTf₂) salt. Therefore, ionic liquid (IL), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate (BMIMTf), is added in order to enhance its ionic conductivity. Based on the findings, the ionic conductivity at room temperature and the dielectric behaviors of the SPE complex improved upon incorporation of 40 wt.% IL. On top of that, addition of IL reduces the degree of crystallinity and the glass transition temperature (T _g ) of the SPE. The conductivity-temperature plot revealed that the transportation of ions in these films obey Arrhenius theory. The interaction between SPE complex, MgTf₂ salt, and BMIMTf is investigated by means of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy through the change in peak intensity around 3413, 1570, and 1060 cm^?1, which are responsible for –OH stretching band, C–C and C–N bending modes of cyclic BMIM⁺, and C–O–C stretching band, respectively.     

Preparation and characterization of a new PEO-PPG blend polymer electrolyte system

This paper reports on preparation and characterization of thin films of a new zinc ion conducting blended polymer electrolyte system containing polyethylene oxide [PEO] and polypropylene glycol [PPG] complexed with zinc triflate [Zn(CF₃SO₃)₂] salt. The room temperature ionic conductivity (σ _298K) data of such PEO-PPG polymer blends prepared by solution casting technique were found to be of the order of 10^?5 S cm^?1, whereas the optimized composition containing 90:10 wt% ratio of PEO and PPG possessed an appreciably high ionic conductivity of 7.5?×?10^?5 S cm^?1. Subsequently, six different weight percentages of zinc triflate viz., 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15, respectively, were added into the above polymer blend and resulting polymer-salt complexes were characterized by means of various analytical tools. Interestingly, the best conducting specimen namely 87.5 wt% (PEO:PPG)-12.5 wt% Zn(CF₃SO₃)₂ exhibited an enhanced room temperature ionic conductivity of 6.9?×?10^?4 S cm^?1 with an activation energy of 0.6 eV for ionic conduction. The present XRD results have indicated the occurrence of characteristic PEO peaks and effects of salt concentration on the observed intensity of these diffraction peaks. Appropriate values of degree of crystallinity for different samples were derived from both XRD and DSC analyses, while an examination of surface morphology of the blended polymer electrolyte system has revealed the formation of homogenous spherulites involving a rough surface and relevant zinc ionic transport number was found to be 0.59 at room temperature for the best conducting polymer electrolyte system thus developed.     

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.     

Characterization of ion transport property in hot-press cast solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) films: [PEO: Zn(CF3SO3)2]

Characterization of ion transport property in dry solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) films: [PEO: Zn(CF₃SO₃)₂] in different salt wt% ratio has been reported. SPE films have been prepared by a hot-press casting procedure. Salt concentration dependent conductivity study at room temperature identified SPE film: [90PEO: 10 Zn(CF₃SO₃)₂] as optimum conducting composition (OCC) with σ _rt ~ 1.09 × 10⁻⁶ S/cm which is approximately three orders of magnitude higher than that of pure PEO host (σ _rt ~ 3.20 × 10⁻⁹ S/cm). The reason attributed for σ _rt enhancement has been the increase in degree of amorphous phase in polymeric host after salt complexation. This has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and polarized optical microscopy (POM) analysis. To evaluate the usefulness of SPE OCC film in all-solid-state-battery applications, ion transport property has been characterized in terms of basic ionic parameters viz. ionic conductivity (σ) and total ionic (t _ion)/cation (t ₊) transport numbers. Mechanism of ion transport has been explained by temperature dependent conductivity measurements and the activation energy (E _a) has been computed by least square linear fitting of “log σ − 1/T” Arrhenius plot.

     

New nanocomposite polymer electrolyte comprising nanosized ZnAl2O4 with a mesopore network and PEO-LiClO4

A novel poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based nanocomposite polymer electrolyte (NCPE) has been developed by using nanosized, high surface area ZnAl₂O₄ with a mesopore network as the filler. X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) were used to characterize the NCPE. The results showed that the presence of the nanosized ZnAl₂O₄ powder leads to a reduction in the crystallinity of the PEO phase. The ionic conductivity and lithium ion transference number of the PEO-based polymer electrolyte were enhanced by the addition of the nanosized ZnAl₂O₄ powder. A broad electrochemical stability window suggests that the PEO-LiClO₄-ZnAl₂O₄ NCPE is a viable candidate for the electrolyte material in lithium polymer batteries.     

Experimental investigations on poly(ethylene oxide) based sodium ion conducting composite polymer electrolytes dispersed with SnO2

New Na⁺ ion conducting composite polymer electrolytes comprising of polyethylene oxide (PEO)-NaClO₄ and PEO-NaI complexes dispersed with SnO₂ are reported. The results of the studies based on optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, impedance analysis and mechanical testing are presented and discussed. The electrical conductivity of ≈5·10⁻⁵ S·cm⁻¹ at 40 °C was achieved for the dispersion of ≈10 wt.% of SnO₂ in both systems. The composition dependence of the conductivity has been well correlated with the variation in glass transition temperature and degree of crystallinity. A substantial enhancement in the mechanical properties of the composite films was observed at the cost of slight decrease in the conductivity at higher concentration of SnO₂. The temperature dependence of the conductivity follows apparently the Arrhenius type thermally activated process below and above the melting temperature of PEO. The conductivity of the materials has been found to be strongly humidity dependent. The materials are shown to be ionic with t_ion>0.9. The electrochemical stability of the materials has been observed to be up to ≈3.2 V for (PEO)₂₅NaClO₄+x% SnO₂ and is limited to ≈1.9 V for (PEO)₂₅NaI+x% SnO₂.     

Effect of silane-functionalized mesoporous silica SBA-15 on performance of PEO-based composite polymer electrolytes

Silane-functionalized mesoporous silica SBA-15 particles with ultra-high specific surface area and large pore size were used as fillers in PEO-based solid electrolytes. FT-IR results confirmed the silane functionalization of SBA-15. Ionic conductivity and lithium ion transference number of the composite polymer electrolytes were found to simultaneously reach a high value of 5 wt.% silane-functionalized SBA-15 introduced in the matrix. It may be due to the combination effects of the unique structure of SBA-15 (i.e., ultra-high specific surface area and large pore size), the particularly functionalized surface of SBA-15 to promote fast ion transfer, and the good dispersion and compatibility of silane-functionalized SBA-15 in the composite polymer electrolytes. The results suggest an alternative way to improve the performance of solid polymer electrolytes.     

Field enhanced Li ion conduction in nanoferroelectric modified polymer electrolyte systems

Nanocomposite polymer electrolyte (NCPE) films based on polyethylene oxide (PEO) complexed with lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄) and nanosized ferroelectric ceramic fillers such as BaTiO₃, SrTiO3 have been prepared using solution cast technique. The films showed very good mechanical stability when exposed to ambient atmospheres for prolonged periods. Lithium ion transport studies revealed that the conductivity is predominantly ionic. The effect of electric field on ionic conductivity of NCPE films was investigated. One order enhancement in conductivity due to the field was observed at 323 K. NCPE films exhibited conductivity of 3.46?×?10^?5 Scm^?1 at 323 K. NCPE films were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The DSC and XRD studies revealed reduced crystallinity which confirmed the higher amorphous phase and hence the improved ionic conductivity.     

A novel PEO-based blends solid polymer electrolytes doping liquid crystalline ionomers

A novel PEO-based blends solid polymer electrolytes doping liquid crystalline ionomers (LCI), PEO/PMMA/LiClO₄/LCI, and PEO/LiClO₄/LCI were prepared by solution casting technology. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis proved that LCI uniformly dispersed into the solid electrolytes and restrained phase separation of PEO and PMMA. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed that LCI decreases the crystallinity of blends solid polymer electrolytes. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) proved LCI not only improved thermal stability of PEO/PMMA/LiClO₄ blends but also prevent PEO/PMMA from phase separation. Infrared spectra results illustrated that there exists interaction among Li⁺ and O, and LCI that promotes the synergistic effects between PEO and PMMA. The EIS result revealed that the conductivity of the electrolytes increases with LiClO₄ concentration in PEO/PMMA blends, but it increases at first and reaches maximum value of 2.53?×?10^?4 S/cm at 1.0 % of LCI. The addition of 1.0 % LCI increases the conductivity of the electrolytes due to that LCl promoting compatibility and interaction of PEO and PMMA. Under the combined action of rigidity induced crystal unit, soft segment and the terminal ionic groups in LCI, PEO/PMMA interfacial interaction are improved, the reduction of crystallinity degree of PEO leads Li⁺ migration more freely.     

发射FTIR光谱技术在聚合物电解质导电机制研究中的应用

运用发射FTIR光谱技术,实时监测SBA-15掺杂制备的复合聚合物电解质随温度升高其结晶状态变化的规律,结合电化学和SEM研究结果分析了无机填料对离子电导率的影响,并初步提出离子导电增强的机制。文章将为发射FTIR光谱技术应用于锂电池研究进行了探索。     

Electrical,structural, and optical characterization of coal ash–PEO/PMMA blend composites

In the present work, indigenous coal ash taken from Sharigh, Balochistan, Pakistan was used to prepare polymer electrolyte films with PEO/PMMA/LiClO₄. Coal ash was first characterized by various techniques like Surface and Porosity Analysis, SEM/energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and XRD. Chemical composition of ash was confirmed by EDX. Then, the utility of coal ash towards fabricating PEO/PMMA/LiClO₄/coal ash composites was studied in order to explore its use as an additive for polymeric blend composites. The ash incorporation into the polymeric blend composites was studied by X-ray diffraction and UV/Visible spectroscopy, while ionic conductivity measurements were undertaken by Impedance spectroscopy. Room temperature conductivity of polymeric blend composites was found to increase sharply with ash content and reached maximum at 3.3 wt.% of ash. Both direct and indirect band gap energies of polymeric blend decreased with coal ash incorporation. The decrease was at peak at 3.3 wt.% of ash. Coal ash has found to improve the performance of polymeric blends.     

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.     

Lithium-doped PEO—a prospective solid electrolyte with high ionic conductivity,developed using <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-Butyllithium in hexane as dopant

The present work is an effort to study the effects of Li doping on the structural and transport properties of the solid polymer electrolyte, poly-ethelene oxide (PEO) (molecular weight, 200,000). Li-doped PEO was synthesized by treating PEO with n-Butyllithium in hexane for different doping concentrations. It is seen that the crystallinity of the doped PEO decreases on increasing the Li doping concentration and XRD and FTIR studies support this observation. FESEM images give better details of surface morphology of doped PEO samples. The TGA curves of PEO and Li-doped PEO samples reveal the weight loss region, and it is observed that the weight loss process of the solid polymer electrolyte is gradual rather than abrupt, contrary to the case of liquid electrolytes. The purity and the electrochemical stability of the samples were established by cyclic voltammetry studies. Impedance measurements were carried out to estimate the ionic conductivity of Li-doped PEO samples. The present value of ionic conductivity observed at room temperature in Li-doped PEO is about five orders higher than that of pure PEO and is quite close to that of liquid electrolytes. It is inferred that, ionic conductivity of the sample is increasing on increasing the Li doping concentration due to enhanced charge carrier density and flexibility of the doped sample structure. The ionic mobility and ionic transport are significantly improved by the less crystallinity and higher flexibility of the Li-doped PEO samples which in turn are responsible for the enhanced ionic conductivity observed.     

Mesoporous silica (MCM-41) effect on (PEO + LiAsF6) solid polymer electrolyte

Composite polymer electrolyte films consisting of polyethylene oxide (PEO), LiAsF₆ and mesoporous silica (MCM-41) with fixed PEO/LiAsF₆ = 90/10 but different weight percent ratios of MCM-41 were prepared using the solution casting method. The polymer electrolyte films were characterized using XRD, DSC, SEM and electrical impedance spectroscopy. In corporation of MCM-41 in a (PEO + LiAsF₆) polymer electrolyte facilitates salt dissociation, enhances ion conductivity, and improves miscibility between organic and inorganic moieties. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photographs indicates the electrolytes are miscible and homogeneous up to 10 wt.% of MCM-41, and an optimized conductivity is found at this composition (10 wt.%). However, at higher weight ratios (>10 wt.%), the Li/MCM-41-rich domain developed, and the conductivity decreased with increasing mesoporous material. The electrochemical performance of fabricated electrochemical cells of configuration Li/(PEO + LiAsF₆ + MCM-41)/(MoO₃ + C + PTFE) were investigated.     

Modeling and simulation of Li-ion conduction in poly(ethylene oxide)

Polyethylene oxide (PEO) containing a lithium salt (e.g., LiI) serves as a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) in thin-film batteries and its ionic conductivity is a key parameter of their performance. We model and simulate Li⁺ ion conduction in a single PEO molecule. Our simplified stochastic model of ionic motion is based on an analogy between protein channels of biological membranes that conduct Na⁺, K⁺, and other ions, and the PEO helical chain that conducts Li⁺ ions. In contrast with protein channels and salt solutions, the PEO is both the channel and the solvent for the lithium salt (e.g., LiI). The mobile ions are treated as charged spherical Brownian particles. We simulate Smoluchowski dynamics in channels with a radius of ca. 0.1 nm and study the effect of stretching and temperature on ion conductivity. We assume that each helix (molecule) forms a random angle with the axis between these electrodes and the polymeric film is composed of many uniformly distributed oriented boxes that include molecules with the same direction. We further assume that mechanical stretching aligns the molecular structures in each box along the axis of stretching (intra-box alignment). Our model thus predicts the PEO conductivity as a function of the stretching, the salt concentration and the temperature. The computed enhancement of the ionic conductivity in the stretch direction is in good agreement with experimental results. The simulation results are also in qualitative agreement with recent theoretical and experimental results.