Studies on thin films of PVC-PMMA blend polymer electrolytes

Abstract

Abstract Thin films of poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC)/poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) blend polymers complexed with different concentrations of LiClO4 salt, containing ethylene carbonate (EC) as the plasticizer, were fabricated by the solution cast procedure. Ionic conductivity, thermal stability and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies were undertaken. AC impedance measurements were done in the temperature range of 20–70°C. The highest ionic conductivity at room temperature was found to be 2.23×10-5 S cm-1 for the sample containing 15 wt% of LiClO4 salt. The XRD technique was used to investigate the structure and complex formation of solid polymer electrolytes. There was a decrease in degree of crystallinity. The amorphous nature of complexed solid polymer blend electrolyte films increased, due to the addition of LiClO4 salt. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) revealed the effect of salt on the thermal stability of the polymer electrolytes. It was found that these polymer electrolyte systems show stability up to about 280°C. It was also found that, with increased LiClO4 salt content in complexed polymer electrolyte systems, the degradation temperature decreased.