Abstract
A blend of poly(ethylene oxide), PEO, and succinonitrile, SN, was investigated for the first time for applying it as a polymeric matrix of low-cost and thermally stable fast-ion conducting redox-couple solid polymer electrolytes. The PEO-SN blend in equal weight fraction showed room temperature ionic conductivity of 1 x 10 (8) S cm (1) with nearly two orders of magnitude higher than that of PEO due to reduced crystallinity. The blend resulted in a solid electrolyte with improved ionic conductivity of similar to 7 x 10(-4) S cm(-1) at 25 degrees C. The blend and its electrolyte showed thermal stability up to 100 degrees C, which is essential for outdoor application of dye-sensitized solar cells.