Electrochemical studies on epoxidised natural rubber-based gel polymer electrolytes for lithium–air cells

Abstract

Gel polymer electrolyte films comprised of 50% epoxidised natural rubber polymer host, lithium triflate salt (LiCF 3SO 3), and ethylene carbonate (EC) or propylene carbonate (PC) plasticizer are prepared using the solution-casting technique. AC impedance studies show that the electrical conductivity of the electrolytes is dependent on both the salt and plasticizer concentrations. The highest room temperature conductivity of 4.92 × 10 −4 S cm −1 is achieved when 10 wt.% propylene carbonate is introduced into the system containing 1.0 g 50% epoxidised natural rubber polymer doped with 35 wt.% LiCF 3SO 3. Conductivity studies of these polymer electrolytes are carried out at various temperatures and are found to obey the Vogel–Tamman–Fulcher (VTF) rule. The highest conducting plasticized sample is used as a gelled electrolyte for lithium–air cells.