Thermal and mechanical studies of nanochitosan incorporated polymethyl methacrylate-based composite electrolytes

Abstract

The composite solid polymer electrolytes based on Polymethyl methacrylate–Lithium triflate with nanochitosan as inert nanofiller were prepared by membrane hot-press method. Nanochitosan was synthesized from shrimp shell. The obtained polymer membrane was subjected to X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to study the structural behavior. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the incorporation of nanochitosan in the prepared polymer matrix enhanced the amorphous phase. The complexation behavior of the prepared electrolytes was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetric studies were carried out to understand the thermal stability of the prepared polymer composite electrode. The incorporation of nanochitosan in the polymer matrix significantly reduces the crystalline temperature of polymethyl methacrylate which was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetric study. Universal testing studies were carried to know the mechanical stability of the prepared solid polymer electrolytes. The ionic conductivity of the prepared composite polymer electrolyte was carried out using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy from ambient to 120 °C.