A study on the effect of various plasticizers in poly(vinyl acetate)-poly(methyl methacrylate) based gel electrolytes

Plasticized polymer electrolyte films containing poly (vinyl acetate) (PVAc)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)–LiClO4 with different plasticizers are prepared by solvent casting technique. Complexation of the prepared electrolytes is confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis and Fourier Transform Infra red analysis. Ionic conductivities of the electrolytes are determined by AC impedance studies in the temperature range of 303–343 K. The temperature dependent ionic conductivity plot seems to obey Vogel–Tamman–Fulcher relation. The ionic transport in the polymer electrolytes has been discussed on the basis of free volume theory. Thermal stability and the surface morphology of the polymer electrolytes are examined by using thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis and scanning electron microscope respectively. The highest ionic conductivity 5.064 × 10−4 Scm−1 have been observed for ethylene carbonate based complex because of the higher dielectric constant (89.6 at 40 °C) among the other plasticizers.