Development of Novel Bio-degradable Electrolyte Based on Polylactide (pla) for Lithium Rechargeable Battery

The imperfection of the polymer electrolyte has left a room for the researcher and scientist to invent other types of polymer electrolyte. In order to create an electrolyte which is not harmful to the environment, degradable polymer which is Polylactide (PLA) was chosen as the host material in the electrolyte. PLA alone had low ionic conductivity which cannot satisfy the current electrical appliance usage. Therefore, PLA is complexed with Ethylene Carbonate, Lithium perchlorate and Aluminum Oxide using THF as a wetting agent. The ionic conductivity of the electrolyte is tested with a.c impedance spectroscopy to determine its ionic conductivity. The highest ionic conductivity of pure PLA is 3.624 x 10(-12) Scm(-1). The PLA is mixed with Ethylene Carbonate to increase its amorphous nature. The result showed that PLA when mixed with 35% of EC give the highest conductivity which is 1.90 x 10(-10) Scm(-1). While the PLA mixed with 20% of Lithium perchlorate give an optimum ionic conductivity which is 5.72 x 10(-7) Scm(-1). Later, the ionic conductivity of PLA, EC and lithium salt mixture were carried out and shows the highest conductivity of 1.44 x 10(-6) Scm(-1). Lastly, with the addition of 4% aluminum oxide filler, the highest conductivity is boosted to 2.07 x 10(-5) Scm(-1). The samples were then analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) to better understand the microstructure of the polymer system.