FTIR and thermal studies of modified natural rubber based polymer electrolytes

Chemical modification of natural rubber (NR) has frequently been attempted to improve the performance in specific application. 30% poly (methyl metacrylate) grafted NR (MG 30) has been explored as a potential candidate for polymer electrolytes. The complexation effect of LiCF₃SO₃, ethylene carbonate (EC) and Al₂SiO₅ in polymer host electrolytes has been investigated using FTIR ICP-OES spectrometry. Thermal studies of the systems have displayed a stable trend of glass temperature transition at elevated salt concentration whereas incorporation of EC and filler into the system results in the same pattern in their T_g values. Paper presented at the International Conference on Functional Materials and Devices 2005, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, June 6 – 8, 2005.