SAXS experiments are suitable to determine the microstructure of nanocomposite polymer electrolyte. Solid electrolyte poly(ethyleneoxide) (PEO) is one of the most extensively studied systems due to its relatively low melting point and glass transition temperature, Tg, its ability to play host to varied metal salt systems in a range of concentrations and to act as a binder for other phases. For these reasons PEO has been the basis of many investigations in the area based on composites of a polymer and an insulating ceramic. Polymeric complexes of (PEO)n with ZnCl2 have been used, due to their stability and a very high conductivity as compared to other complexes [1]. The mechanical properties of amorphous of PEO-based electrolytes are poor and attempts to improve these have included addition of inert filler. Many kinds of ceramic fillers such as micron and nanosized TiO2 or Al2O3 particles, as for instance these nano-particles with particle sizes of 5.8–13 nm in (PEO)8LiClO4 [2], were used. An increase in conductivity of three orders of magnitude was seen at temperatures up to the melting point of the PEO complex. Above the melting point of the complex, the effect of the filler on conductivity was only moderate. We intend to improve the electrical conductivity of polymer electrolyte (PEO)8ZnCl2 by introducing nano-particles of TiO2 and as a new project nano-particles of ZnO, Al2O3, MgO2 and V2O5. An alternative approach is to bring about interchain linking by exposure of the polymer to high-energy radiation [3]. As polymer is a composite of an amorphous and a crystalline part and conductivity is occurring in the amorphous part, both treatments were directed towards inhibition of the crystalline phase in the polymer matrix [4-6].
