ATR-FTIR spectroscopic study of the effect of ceramic addition in novel ionoconductor gels for biomedical applications in space

The preparation and characterization of composite polymer electrolyte membranes consisting of selected nanosized ceramic powders (TiO2, Al2O3, SiO2) dispersed into poly(methylmethacrylate) PMMA-based gels with LiClO4 and 1,2-diethoxyethane have been investigated. The electrical conductivity values, measured by a.c. impedance spectroscopy, demonstrated that the addition of the ceramic filler to the membranes contributes to enhance the electrochemical stability without significantly affecting their conductivity. The variations observed in conductivity have been correlated with the structural variations introduced by the presence of different ceramics evidentiated by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Preliminary measurements of bioelectrical signals (electroencephalograms, EEG) carried out with the newly prepared composite membranes showed they are suitable for neurological recording.