Doping dependence of optical and electrical properties of Fe3+ doped Methacrylic acid – Ethylacrylate (MAA:EA) copolymer electrolytes

Methacrylic Acid – Ethylacrylate (MAA:EA) copolymer electrolytes doped with different concentration of Fe3+ were prepared using the casting technique. Electrical conductivity of the films was measured with impedance analyzer in the frequency range of 1 Hz to 1 MHz and in the temperature range of 303–348 K. It was observed that the magnitude of conductivity increased with the increase in the salt concentration as well as the temperature. UV-Vis. optical absorption spectrum indicates a variation in both intensity and optical energy gap with different concentration of doping level. Both values of direct and indirect energy gaps are calculated and discussed. Obtained data shows a defect formation which increases with increasing Fe3+ concentration. This suggests that FeCl3, as a dopant, is a good choice to improve the electrical properties of MAA:EA copolymer electrolytes.