Development and Characterization of Gel Polymer Electrolytes for Battery Applications

Lai, Joon Rung (2026) Development and Characterization of Gel Polymer Electrolytes for Battery Applications. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

This study developed and characterized gel polymer electrolytes based on polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) for safer battery applications. The gel polymer electrolyte films were prepared by solution mixing and solvent casting using LiTFSI as the lithium salt, ethylene carbonate as the plasticizer, and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone as the solvent. Four formulations were investigated by varying the PAN:PMMA ratio and LiTFSI content. The prepared films were evaluated by visual film-forming observation, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and flammability testing. FTIR results confirmed the presence of the characteristic PAN nitrile, PMMA carbonyl, and LiTFSI-related bands, which showed successful salt incorporation and polymer-salt interaction. TGA results showed multistep mass loss behaviour, with early volatile removal and main polymer decomposition at higher temperature, while the final residue changed with salt loading. EIS results showed that the 70:30 PAN: PMMA film with 25 wt% LiTFSI gave the most favorable electrochemical response, with the lowest bulk resistance and charge-transfer resistance among the tested samples which is the 196 ohms with 3.81×10−5