In this work, analysis of ion transport parameters of polymer blend electrolytes incorporated with magnesium trifluoromethanesulfonate (Mg(CF3SO3)2) was carried out by employing the Trukhan model. A solution cast technique was used to obtain the polymer blend electrolytes composed of chitosan (CS) and poly (2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (POZ). From X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, improvement in amorphous phase for the blend samples has been observed in comparison to the pure state of CS. From impedance plot, bulk resistance (Rb) was found to decrease with increasing temperature. Based on direct current (DC) conductivity (σdc) patterns, considerations on the ion transport models of Arrhenius and Vogel-Tammann-Fulcher (VTF) were given. Analysis of the dielectric properties was carried out at different temperatures and the obtained results were linked to the ion transport mechanism. It is demonstrated in the real part of electrical modulus that chitosan-salt systems are extremely capacitive. The asymmetric peak of the imaginary part (Mi) of electric modulus indicated that there is non-Debye type of relaxation for ions. From frequency dependence of dielectric loss (ε″) and the imaginary part (Mi) of electric modulus, suitable coupling among polymer segmental and ionic motions was identified. Two techniques were used to analyze the viscoelastic relaxation dynamic of ions. The Trukhan model was used to determine the diffusion coefficient (D) by using the frequency related to peak frequencies and loss tangent maximum heights (tanδmax). The Einstein-Nernst equation was applied to determine the carrier number density (n) and mobility. The ion transport parameters, such as D, n and mobility (μ), at room temperature, were found to be 4 × 10-5 cm2/s, 3.4 × 1015 cm-3, and 1.2 × 10-4 cm2/Vs, respectively. Finally, it was shown that an increase in temperature can also cause these parameters to increase.
Chemical modification of natural rubber (NR) has frequently been attempted to improve the performance in specific application. 30% poly(methyl metacrylate) (PMMA) grafted into NR (MG30) has been explored as a potential candidate for polymer electrolytes. The complexation effect of salt and plasticizer in polymer host electrolytes had been investigated using FTIR. The carbonyl stretch of MG30 locates at 1729 cm-1, with the addition of lithium trimethanesulfonate (LiCF3SO3) salt, new band evolves at lower frequency region at 1643-1645 cm-1. The nondegenerate vibrational mode of nus(SO3) of salted electrolytes appearing at 1031-1034 cm-1 comes from 'free' trimethanesulfonate anions and the 1040-1046 cm-1 absorption from the monodentate ion paired with triflates. These indicate MG30-salt interaction. When MG30 and ethylene carbonate (EC) formed film, the CH3 asymmetric bend of MG30 appearing at 1447cm-1 is shifted to 1449 cm-1 in the EC-polymer complex. The CO stretching at 1729 cm-1 also shifted to 1728 cm-1. Hence, the EC-MG30 system is complexed to each other. EC-LiCF3SO3 interactions are indicated by the shifting of CO bending band of EC from 718 cm-1 being shifted to 720 cm-1 in the complex. In Li+-EC interaction where the ring breathing region at 897 cm-1 in EC has shifted to 899 cm-1 in EC-salt spectrum. The band appearing at 1643-1645 cm-1 due to the coordination of Li+