Study of microporous PVA/PVC composite polymer membrane and it application to MnO₂ capacitors

A microporous poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(vinyl chloride) (PVA/PVC) composite polymer membrane was successfully synthesized by a solution casting method and a preferential dissolution method. The characteristic properties of PVA/PVC composite polymer membranes were systematically studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), micro-Raman spectroscopy and AC impedance spectroscopy. The PVA/PVC composite polymer membrane shows excellent thermal property, dimensional stability, and the ionic conductivity; it is due to the addition of secondary PVC polymer fillers. The MnO₂ capacitors with the PVA/PVC composite polymer membrane with 1 M Na₂SO₄ was assembled and examined. It was found that the MnO₂ capacitor based on a microporous PVA/5 wt.%PVC composite polymer electrolyte membrane exhibited the maximum specific capacitance of 238 F g^-1 and the current efficiency of 99% at 25 mV s^-1 after 1000 cycle test. The result demonstrates that the novel microporous PVA/PVC composite polymer membrane is a potential candidate for use on the capacitors.