Optical and Conductivity Studies of Cr3+ Doped Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone Polymer Electrolytes

Abstract

Polymer electrolyte films of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) embedded with various concentrations of Cr³⁺ ions were prepared by a solution casting technique. The complexation between the Cr³⁺ ions and the polymer was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and UV–vis spectroscopy. The electrical conductivity of the films was measured using an impedence analyzer in the frequency range of 42?Hz to 5?MHz at ambient temperature. It was observed that the conductivity increased with the increase in the Cr³⁺ ion concentration. UV–visible absorption spectra in the wavelength range of 200–800?nm were used to determine the direct and indirect optical energy band gaps and optical absorption edge. Both of the optical band gaps decreased with the increase in Cr³⁺ ion concentration. FTIR studies on pure and Cr³⁺ doped PVP polymer films revealed the vibrational changes that occurred due to the effect of the dopant Cr³⁺ ions in the polymer. Our results suggested that Cr³⁺, as a dopant, is a good choice to improve the electrical properties of PVP polymer electrolytes.