Conductivity studies on 30% PMMA grafted NR-NH4CF3SO3 gel polymer electrolytes

A gel polymer electrolyte composed of 30% PMMA grafted natural rubber (MG30), ammonium triflate (NH₄CF₃SO₃) and ethylene carbonate (EC) as a plasticizer is described. The complexation between polymer and salt is observed by FTIR spectral studies. The band at 1728 cm^-1 represents the C=O carbonyl group of MG30. The interaction is between the NH₄⁺ cation and the oxygen atom of the C=O is confirmed since the IR spectrum show a shifting in the C=O stretching peak to lower wavenumber. The effect of plasticizer on the MG30-NH₄CF₃SO₃ on the ionic conductivity is explained in terms of the plasticizer loading of the film. The temperature dependence of the conductivity of the polymer films obeys the Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher (VTF) relationship. The ionic transference number is calculated using Wagner´s polarization technique shows that the conducting species are predominantly due ions and hence showed the system is ionic conductor.