Investigation of microstructure and conducting mechanism of nanocomposite polymeric electrolytes with rectorite clay by PALS

Polymeric electrolytes with different modified organic nanoretorite (OREC) content have been prepared. Measurements of the structural transition, the positron annihilation lifetime, free volume and ionic conductivity as a function of the OREC content and the temperature have been performed. According to the variations of the ortho-positronium (o-Ps) lifetimes with temperature, the glass transition temperatures have been determined. A direct relationship between the ionic conductivity and the fractional free volume has been established using based on free volume theory Williams-Landel-Ferry (WLF)equations, implying a free-volume transport mechanism. Our experimental results indicated that the segmental chain motion and ionic migration and diffusion could be explained by the free volume theory.