We report on the fabrication and characterization of homogeneous, monophasic sodium metaphosphate and polyethylene glycol hybrid composites achieved via coacervation in aqueous solution. After separation and drying, an amorphous plastic solid is formed, composed mostly of hydrated sodium phosphate moieties amalgamated with polyethylene glycol chains. These composites are largely X-ray amorphous and can contain up to 8 weight percent of polymer. Impedance spectroscopic measurements reveal DC conductivity values of 12 μS/m at room temperature, an enhancement of three orders of magnitude when compared to glassy sodium metaphosphate, and the presence of the polyethylene glycol is reflected in the equivalent circuit and ionic hopping analyses.
Keywords: composite materials; glasses; ionic conduction; phase separation.