DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v25i4.222

Keywords: PMMA; ENR 50; filler; nanoalumina; Al2O3; lithium triflate

Abstract

The effects of various weight percentages (%) (i.e.: 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 wt. %) of nanoalumina (Al2O3) filler (<50 nm) on the structural, electrical, morphological and thermal properties of PMMA/ENR50-based electrolyte films were investigated. The polymer electrolyte films were prepared using the solution casting technique and a fixed amount of LiTf (40 wt.%) was added as the conducting species. With the addition of up to 3 wt. % of Al2O3, flexible and free-standing PMMA/ENR50-based electrolyte films (PMMAF1 and PMMAF3) were obtained. The phase separation that naturally occurred in PMMA/ENR50 films also disappeared when observed under an optical microscope (OM). FTIR studies confirmed the occurrence of polymer-salt-filler interactions which successfully increased the amorphicity of the system. This eased the mobility of the Li+ ions, resulting in the highest ionic conductivity value of 4.36 × 10-4 S/cm for PMMAF3. The filler-salt interactions also improved conductivity by creating new Li+ conducting pathways. PMMAF1 and PMMAF3 also exhibited higher decomposition temperatures compared to PMMAF0, which could be related to the PMMA-filler interactions as confirmed by FTIR analysis.