Novel colloidal nanofiber semiconductor electrolytes from solution blends of PVA/ODA–MMT, poly (itaconic anhydride-alt-2-vinyl-1,3-dioxalan) and its Ag-carrying polymer complex by reactive electrospinning

• Novel multifunctional colloidal nanofiber electrolytes were synthesized.
• Crosslinked nanofibers were prepared by varying fractions of partner copolymer.
• Conductivities significantly improved with presence of copolymer, organoclay and AgNPs.

Colloidal polymer nanofibers as non-crystalline solid electrolytes were fabricated by using solution blends of polyvinyl alcohol/octadecyl amine-montmorillonite, alternating copolymer of itaconic anhydride with 2-vinyl-1,3-dioxalane and their Ag-carrying complexes by electrospinning. Chemical–physical structures, morphology, thermal and electrical properties of nanofiber electrolytes were investigated to evaluate their influences on the conductivity and resistance parameters. Successful chemical cross-linking of PVA matrix by reactive partner copolymer was observed via ring-opening esterification/cross-linking. A covalence bridge of partner copolymer between PVA macromolecules not only reinforced the network but also provided extra ion charged sites. Effects of alternating copolymer fraction, organoclay, in situ generated silver nanoparticles, and structural factors on the conductivity of nanofiber thin films were estimated. Conductivity and resistance parameters strongly depended on temperature, conduct time, morphology and in situ structural rearrangements during electrospinning. Addition of reactive organoclay and Ag-carrying copolymer significantly improved the conductivity due to enhancing nanofiber structures with carboxylate ion charge sites.

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