Films of chitosan and N‐carboxymethylchitosan. Part II: effect of plasticizers on their physiochemical properties

Chitosan (Ch) and N‐carboxymethylchitosan (N‐CMCh) films were prepared by the casting method at concentrations of 1% and 2% of polymer, with or without plasticizer: polyethylene glycol (PEG‐400) and glycerol (G), at 15% (w/w). The influence of composition on mechanical properties, water vapour transmission rate (WVTR), water saturation, and aqueous dissolution of the films was analysed. The thermal stability of the mixture (polymer:plasticizer, 1:1) was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). In general, all the properties were affected by the plasticizers. The plasticized films showed lower strength and a higher percentage of elongation (%E), in the following order: G > PEG‐400 > unplasticized film. The total WVTR increased with Ch concentration, with a different WVTR profile for Ch and N‐CMCh. While the PEG‐400 addition did not significantly modify the WVTR profile of films, the glycerol enhanced the transport of water vapour through both polymers. The plasticizer addition increased the time of water film saturation, in the following order: G > PEG‐400 > unplasticized film; this was more pronounced in the N‐CMCh films, probably due to the formation of hydrogen bonds. The solubility of the films was also affected by their composition. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

D‐isosorbide and 1,3‐propanediol as plasticizers for starch‐based films: Characterization and aging study

In the present work, D‐isosorbide and 1,3‐propanediol are proposed as alternative plasticizers obtained from renewable resources. Plasticized starch films were prepared by solvent casting method. The influence of using different “green” plasticizers in the final properties of starch‐based films was analyzed. Besides, the characterization of the films was also performed after storage time in order to evaluate the effect of the plasticizer on aging. UV‐spectrophotometry results showed better optical properties for both glycerol and D‐isosorbide films with higher transparency. The thermal and mechanical properties resulted influenced by the nature of the plasticizer. It was demonstrated that water vapor permeability was governed by the starch‐water interactions, whereas the oxygen permeability depended on the plasticizer's nature. The storage time affected the surface, mechanical, and thermal properties of the plasticized starch films. Atomic force microscopy results concluded that the topography of the films changed due to aging. The use of D‐isosorbide as plasticizer reduced the evolution of the mentioned properties and enhanced the reliability of the material. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44793.     

Preparation and properties of thermoplastic pea starch using N,N‐bis(2‐hydroxyethyl)formamide as the plasticizer

N,N‐bis(2‐hydroxyethyl)formamide (BHF) was synthesized efficiently and used as a new plasticizer for pea starch to prepare thermoplastic starch (TPS). The hydrogen bond interaction between BHF and pea starch was proven by Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy. As detected by scanning electron microscope (SEM), pea starch granules were completely disrupted, and the homogeneous materials were obtained. The crystallinity of pea starch and BHF‐plasticized thermoplastic pea starch (BTPS) was characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Rheological properties of TPS were analyzed. The water resistance of BTPS was better than that of glycerol‐plasticized thermoplastic pea starch (GTPS). At RH 33%, the tensile strength of BTPS was higher than that of GTPS for TPS containing 30% plasticizer. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Thermal and mechanical properties of plasticized poly(L‐lactic acid)

Acetyl tri‐n‐butyl citrate (ATBC) and poly(ethyleneglycol)s (PEGs) with different molecular weights (from 400 to 10000) were used in this study to plasticize poly(L‐lactic acid) (PLA). The thermal and mechanical properties of the plasticized polymer are reported. Both ATBC and PEG are effective in lowering the glass transition (T_g) of PLA up to a given concentration, where the plasticizer reaches its solubility limit in the polymer (50 wt % in the case of ATBC; 15–30 wt %, depending on molecular weight, in the case of PEG). The range of applicability of PEGs as PLA plasticizers is given in terms of PEG molecular weight and concentration. The mechanical properties of plasticized PLA change with increasing plasticizer concentration. In all PLA/plasticizer systems investigated, when the blend T_g approaches room temperature, a stepwise change in the mechanical properties of the system is observed. The elongation at break drastically increases, whereas tensile strength and modulus decrease. This behavior occurs at a plasticizer concentration that depends on the T_g‐depressing efficiency of the plasticizer. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1731–1738, 2003     

Structure and mechanical properties of soy protein materials plasticized by Thiodiglycol

Thiodiglycol (TDG) is a relatively nontoxic compound from organic wastes. By using TDG as a plasticizer with weights from 2.5 to 40%, we prepared soy protein isolate (SPI) films by a compression‐molding technique at 140°C and 15 MPa. The TDG‐plasticized films (SPI–TDG films) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, optical transmittance, and water uptake experiments. The SPI–TDG film plasticized with 25% TDG exhibited good mechanical properties, such as a tensile strength and modulus of 20.3 and 582 MPa, respectively, whereas the SPI–glycerol film with 25% glycerol had a tensile strength and modulus of 16.2 and 436 MPa, respectively. The results from the thermogravimetric analysis and water uptake experiments indicated that the thermal stability and water resistance of the TDG‐plasticized SPI materials were higher than that of the glycerol‐plasticized one. The improvements in the mechanical properties, water resistance, and thermal stability of the SPI–TDG films could be attributed to the strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding between soy protein and TDG and the presence of fewer hydroxyl groups in TDG, as compared structurally with glycerol. This study provided a new plasticizer for the preparation of soy protein materials. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Stabilization of epoxidized soybean oil‐plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) blends via thermal curing with genistein

In an effort to alleviate the well‐known toxicity effect of phthalate derivatives on human health, genistein (G) modified epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) has been investigated as an alternative “green” plasticizer for poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) with potential application in medical products. As evidenced by a single glass transition that shifts systematically with composition in conjunction with the melting point depression of G crystals, ESBO is not only a good plasticizer to PVC, but also miscible with G. Moreover, ESBO is an excellent compatibilizer to the immiscible PVC/G pair. Furthermore, PVC/ESBO/G ternary blends revealed complete miscibility in the amorphous state. Of particular interest is that ESBO‐plasticized PVC is thermally curable with G at elevated temperatures above 220 °C and affords relatively stable G modified ESBO‐plasticized PVC for blood contact medical applications such as blood bags and hemodialysis tubings. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46472.     

Bio‐based polymeric resin from agricultural waste,neem (Azadirachta indica) seed cake,for green composites

Protein‐based polymeric resin has been developed from nonconventional and nonedible “neem seed cake (NSC)” that has very limited low‐value applications. Neem protein (NP), after extraction from defatted NSC, was used to prepare resin with two common plasticizers (glycerol and sorbitol). Properties of the NP resin sheets were evaluated as a function of plasticizer content. Increase of plasticizer content in NP sheets from 15 to 30% (w/w) enhanced fracture strain with a reduction in tensile strength, modulus, and thermal properties. Sorbitol‐plasticized NP sheets showed better mechanical and thermal properties in comparison to glycerol‐plasticized sheets. Effect of cross‐linking with glyoxal on the mechanical and thermal properties of sorbitol‐plasticized NP sheets was also investigated. Properties improved significantly at 10% (w/w) glyoxal content. Overall, with the enhanced properties of NP sheets, NP can be a viable alternative for edible protein‐based resin for making green composites. NP resin can also be used to replace some synthetic resins. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 10.1002/app.41291.     

Effect of corn‐zein coating on the mechanical properties of polypropylene packaging films

In this study, a novel film structure of corn zein coated on polypropylene (PP) synthetic films for food packaging applications was developed, and the mechanical properties of the resulting coated film, as affected by the coating formulation, were investigated. Composite structures of PP films coated with corn zein were obtained through a simple solvent casting method. Different amounts of corn zein (5 and 15%) were dissolved in 70 and 95% aqueous ethanol solution at 50°C. Solutions of corn zein plasticized with poly(ethylene glycol) and glycerol (GLY) at various levels (20 and 50%) were applied on corona‐discharge‐treated PP. A statistical analysis based on full factorial design was performed to examine the influence of the coating formulation on the final properties of the corn‐zein‐coated PP films. A significant (p < 0.05) improvement in the coated film's mechanical properties was observed compared to those of the uncoated PP. The effect of the plasticization of the coating solutions was also quite significant. In general, GLY provided better improvements in the mechanical properties of the corn‐zein‐coated PP films. The statistical analysis of the results showed that the corn‐zein and plasticizer concentrations and plasticizer type used in the coating formulations were more effective parameters and had significant effects on the mechanical behavior of the coated PP films. In conclusion, corn‐zein coatings could have potential as alternatives to conventional synthetic polymers used in composite multilayer structures for food packaging applications. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Thermal and mechanical properties of plasticized poly(L‐lactide) nanocomposites with organo‐modified montmorillonites

Nanocomposites of poly(lactide) (PLA) and the PLA plasticized with diglycerine tetraacetate (PL‐710) and ethylene glycol oligomer containing organo‐modified montmorillonites (ODA‐M and PGS‐M) by the protonated ammonium cations of octadecylamine and poly(ethylene glycol) stearylamine were prepared by melt intercalation method. In the X‐ray diffraction analysis, the PLA/ODA‐M and plasticized PLA/ODA‐M composites showed a clear enlargement of the difference of interlayer spacing between the composite and clay itself, indicating the formation of intercalated nanocomposite. However, a little enlargement of the interlayer spacing was observed for the PLA/PGS‐M and plasticized PLA/PGS‐M composites. From morphological studies using transmission electron microscopy, a finer dispersion of clay was observed for PLA/ODA‐M composite than PLA/PGS‐M composite and all the composites using the plasticized PLA. The PLA and PLA/PL‐710 composites containing ODA‐M showed a higher tensile strength and modulus than the corresponding composites with PGS‐M. The PLA/PL‐710 (10 wt %) composite containing ODA‐M showed considerably higher elongation at break than the pristine plasticized PLA, and had a comparable tensile modulus to pure PLA. The glass transition temperature (T_g) of the composites decreased with increasing plasticizer. The addition of the clays did not cause a significant increase of T_g. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006     

Poly(hexane succinate) plasticizer designed for poly(vinyl chloride) with a high efficiency,nontoxicity, and improved migration resistance

Poly(hexane succinate) (PHS) was designed as an alternative type of polyester plasticizer for the modification of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). The plasticizing effect of PHS was studied and compared with the traditional dioctyl phthalate (DOP) plasticizer. The results show that the PVC plasticized by PHS had the lowest tensile strength of 15.3 MPa and the highest elongation at break of 105.1% when 35 phr PHS was added. It also exhibited a lower glass‐transition temperature than PVC plasticized by DOP (PVC–DOP); this could be explained by the improvement of free volume for the amorphous part of PVC enhanced by high‐molecular‐weight PHS. The migration‐resistant properties of PVC–PHS was greatly superior to those of PVC–DOP. All of these results illustrate that PHS had a higher plasticizing efficiency than DOP for PVC. PHS could be used as an alternative plasticizer to remove the potential health risks of phthalates migrating out during applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46388.     

Effects of plasticizer on structures,non‐isothermal crystallization,and rheological properties of polyarylates

We herein report the effects of plasticizer content (1–5 wt %) on the structure, non‐isothermal crystallization kinetics, thermal stability, and rheological property of a new type of multicomponent polyarylate (PAR). Fourier transform infrared spectra reveal the presence of a specific interaction between plasticizer and PAR chains, indicating the good dispersion of the plasticizer at the molecular level. The plasticizer influences on the non‐isothermal crystallization behavior of the PAR in two different ways: a mobility enhancer of PAR chains and an impurity to the crystallization of PAR. The melt‐crystallization temperature (T_mc) and enthalpy (ΔH_mc) of the plasticized PARs at cooling runs are higher than those of the neat PAR, which is owing to the enhanced mobility of PAR chains by the plasticizer. On the other hand, the non‐isothermal crystallization rates at different cooling rates of 5–40 °C/min are slower for the PARs with higher plasticizer contents, which is due to the impurity effect of the plasticizer on the melt‐crystallization of PARs. Although the PARs with 1–5 wt % plasticizer have lowered thermal decomposition temperatures, compared to the neat PAR, they are thermally stable up to ～400 °C. The complex melt viscosity of PAR with only 1 wt % plasticizer is far lower than that of the neat PAR. Overall, it is found that only 1 wt % plasticizer is quite effective to facilitate the melt‐processibility and to increase the crystallinity of PAR. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45704.     

Tri‐(butanediol‐monobutyrate) citrate plasticizing poly(lactic acid): Synthesis,crystallization, thermal,and mechanical properties

Tri‐(butanediol‐monobutyrate) citrate (TBBC) as a new plasticizer for poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was synthesized via a two‐step esterification. The chemical structure of TBBC was characterized by ¹H‐nuclear magnetic resonance. The studies on solubility parameters, transparence, and storage stability indicated the good miscibility between PLA and TBBC. The glass transition, crystallization, thermal, and mechanical properties of PLA plasticized by TBBC were evaluated. With an increase in TBBC content, the glass transition temperature (T_g), melting point (T_m), and the cold crystallization temperature (T_cc) of plasticized PLA gradually shifted to a lower temperature. The elongation at break and flexibility were greatly improved by the addition of TBBC. After 30 days of storage, PLA plasticized with up to 20 wt% of TBBC exhibited good storage stability and remained the original transparence and mechanical properties. The flexibility of PLA/TBBC films can be tuned by changing TBBC content. The corresponding crystalline morphology and structure were investigated by Polarizing optical microscope and X‐ray diffraction as well. This study revealed that TBBC was miscible with PLA and may therefore be a promising plasticizer for PLA‐based packaging materials. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:205–213, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Novel branched poly(ɛ‐caprolactone) as a nonmigrating plasticizer in flexible PVC: Synthesis and characterization

A series of hyperbranched poly(?‐caprolactone) (HPCLs, denoted as D_X) with different molecular weights were synthesized by the copolymerization of GPCL (PCL initiated by glycidol) and succinic anhydride. The chemical structure of D_X was characterized by ¹H‐NMR gel permeation chromatography and inherent viscosity, and D_X was used as the plasticizer for poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) compared to traditional plasticizer di‐(ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). The thermal properties, morphology, mechanical properties, and migration stabilities of PVC films were explored with differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscope, tensile, and migration tests. PVC/D₁ exhibited the best plasticization efficiency up to 107%, with enhanced tensile strength (18.5 MPa) and ultimate elongation (416%) compared to PVC/DEHP (11.5 MPa and 375%, respectively). PVC/D₁ exhibited remarkably high plasticization efficiency as compared to PVC/DEHP at a plasticizer concentration of PVC below 40 wt %. Moreover, the migration test for PVC/D_X films exhibited minimal plasticizers migration even at very harsh conditions. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46542.     

Films from oat spelt arabinoxylan plasticized with glycerol and sorbitol

The development of packaging films based on renewable materials is an important and active area of research today. This is the first extensive study focusing on film‐forming properties of an agrobiomass byproduct, namely, oat spelt arabinoxylan. A plasticizer was needed for cohesive film formation, and glycerol and sorbitol were compared. The tensile properties of the films varied with the type and amount of the polyol. With a 10% (w/w) plasticizer content, the films containing glycerol had higher tensile strength than the films containing sorbitol, but with a 40% plasticizer content, the result was the opposite. Sorbitol‐plasticized films retained their tensile properties better than films with glycerol during 5 months of storage. The films were semicrystalline with similar crystallinity indices of 0.20–0.26. The largest crystallites (9.5 nm) were observed in the film with 40% glycerol. The softening of films with 40% (w/w) glycerol started at a significantly lower relative humidity (RH) than that of the corresponding sorbitol‐containing films. The films with sorbitol also had lower water vapor permeability (WVP) than the films with glycerol. The films plasticized with 10% (w/w) sorbitol had a WVP value of 1.1 g mm/(m²·d·kPa) at the RH gradient of 0/54%. The oxygen permeability of films containing 10% (w/w) glycerol or sorbitol was similar: 3 cm³·μm/(m²·d·kPa) at 50–75% RH. A higher plasticizer content resulted in more permeable films. Permeation of sunflower oil through the films was not detected. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Epoxidized soybean oil‐plasticized poly(lactic acid) films performance as impacted by storage

This study examined the effect of storage time at room temperature on the melt viscosity, thermal, and tensile properties of epoxidized soybean oil plasticized poly(lactic acid) (PLA) films manufactured through a cast extrusion process. Infrared results indicate that plasticizer migration to the surface of the film occurred after only 30 days of storage, which significantly affected the performance of plasticized films. While the melt viscosity, glass transition temperature, degree of crystallinity, tensile strength, and modulus increased, the elongation at break and energy to break decreased with storage time up to 30 days and all properties remained constant thereafter. However, the ability of stored plasticized film to cold crystallize remained unaffected since both the cold crystallization temperature and melting temperature were not affected during storage. Although plasticized film lost some flexibility after only 30 days of storage due to plasticizer migration to the surface of the film, sufficient plasticization performance still remained in plasticized PLA films for flexible packaging application even after a long storage period at ambient conditions. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43201.     

Epoxidized Mesua ferrea L. seed oil‐plasticized thermostable PVC and PVC‐clay nanocomposites

The use of vegetable‐oil‐based polymeric plasticizers with nanotechnology can create new applications for plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). Epoxidized Mesua ferrea L. (Ceylon Ironwood) seed oil was used as a plasticizer for PVC. Further, nanocomposites were prepared through an ex‐situ technique using epoxidized‐oil‐swelled organically modified montmorillonite (5 wt%) and PVC. Notable improvement in thermal and processing characteristics of the nanocomposites was observed over those of the virgin polymer (in both unplasticized and plasticized PVC), as studied by TGA. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized by FTIR, SEM, TEM, and XRD techniques. A dramatic decrease in viscosity (7‐fold) was observed in THF for a 10% solution of epoxidized‐oil‐modified PVC compared to unplasticized PVC in THF, as measured by Brookfield viscometer. Isothermal analysis at three different temperatures (100, 150, and 200°C) reveals sufficient stability of the epoxidized oil modified PVC nanocomposites, as confirmed by gravimetric and FTIR analysis. Augmentation of thermostability and good retention of mechanical properties of the (Mesua ferrea L.)‐plasticized‐PVC/clay nanocomposites with respect to rigid PVC vouch for the utility of the former as advanced industrial materials. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 18:168–177, 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Study on volume ratio and plasticizer screening of free coating membranes composed of ethyl cellulose and chitosan

The aim of this study was to optimize the formula of free blended coating membrane of ethyl cellulose (EC) and chitosan (CS), including their suitable ratio range and the best plasticizer used. The dry films were produced by a casting/solvent evaporation method, with different volume ratio of EC and CS solution plasticized by various plasticizers, respectively. The wet films were prepared by immersing dry films in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer saline (PBS) for 24 h. The promising ratio range of EC/CS was below 20/5 or 20/6 with various plasticizer, which was determined by comparing the viscosity of the blended solutions and the morphology of the blended films. The efficiency of plasticization was evaluated by measuring glass transition temperature (T_g). All the testing plasticizers have good compatibility with EC or CS and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) have the strongest efficiency inducing the lowest T_g (39.9°C) of the film. Mechanical properties were evaluated by the ratio of tensile strength (T) to elastic modulus (E). In the wet state, the films with DBP had the highest T/E value (1.2). The results of leaching of plasticizers also verified that DBP was the most stable plasticizer in the films. The release rates of tetramethylpyrazine phosphate (TMPP) through the pellets coated with the blended films of EC/CS (20 : 6 v/v) plasticized by various plasticizers showed that the more water‐soluble the plasticizer was, the more quickly TMPP dissolved from the coated pellets, which further indicated that the water‐insoluble plasticizers (such as DBP) could be more applicable to keep the sustained or controlled release property of the blended films in wet state. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 1932–1939, 2006     

Physicochemical characterization of poly(ethylene glycol) plasticized poly(methyl vinyl ether‐co‐maleic acid) films

The influence of the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) plasticizer content and molecular weight on the physicochemical properties of films cast from aqueous blends of poly(methyl vinyl ether‐co‐maleic acid) (PMVE/MA) was investigated with tensile mechanical testing, thermal analysis, and attenuated total reflectance/Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Unplasticized films and those containing high copolymer contents were very difficult to handle and proved difficult to test. PEG with a molecular weight of 200 Da was the most efficient plasticizer. However, films cast from aqueous blends containing 10% (w/w) PMVE/MA and either PEG 1000 or PEG 10,000 when the copolymer/plasticizer ratio was 4 : 3 and those cast from aqueous blends containing 15% (w/w) PMVE/MA and either PEG 1000 or PEG 10,000 when the copolymer/plasticizer ratio was 2 : 1 possessed mechanical properties most closely mimicking those of a formulation we have used clinically in photodynamic therapy. Importantly, we found previously that films cast from aqueous blends containing 10% (w/w) PMVE/MA performed rather poorly in the clinical setting, where uptake of moisture from patients' skin led to reversion of the formulation to a thick gel. Consequently, we are now investigating films cast from aqueous blends containing 15% (w/w) PMVE/MA and either PEG 1000 or PEG 10,000, where the copolymer/plasticizer ratio is 2 : 1, as possible Food and Drug Administration approved replacements for our current formulation, which must currently be used only on a named patient basis as its plasticizer, tripropylene glycol methyl ether, is not currently available in pharmaceutical grade. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Solid state 13C‐NMR study of a plasticized PLA/PHB polymer blend

High‐resolution solid‐state ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and ¹³C spin–lattice relaxation times T₁(¹³C) are used to characterize the structure of a polymer blend prepared from poly(lactic acid) (85 wt %) and poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (15 wt %) and the effect of the plasticizer triacetine on the structure and molecular dynamics of the blend. Single‐pulse and cross‐polarization magic angle spinning ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra indicate that the nonplasticized polymer blend consists of semicrystalline poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) domains built into an amorphous poly(lactic acid) matrix. Triacetine supports formation of the crystalline regions within both polymer components in the blend. Spin–lattice relaxation times of carbonyl carbons indicate that the nonplasticized polymer blend consists of noninteracting chains of blended polymers and plasticization of the polymer blend increases the relaxation rate. The glass transition, cold crystallization, and melting processes of the nonplasticized and plasticized blends were also studied using differential scanning calorimetry methods. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46296.     

Crystallinity,thermal properties,morphology and conductivity of quaternary plasticized PEO‐based polymer electrolytes

Quaternary plasticized solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) films composed of poly(ethylene oxide), LiClO₄, Li_1.3Al_0.3Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃, and either ethylene carbonate or propylene carbonate as plasticizer (over a range of 10–40 wt%) were prepared by a solution‐cast technique. X‐ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) indicated that components such as LiClO₄ and Li_1.3Al_0.3Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃ and the plasticizers exerted important effects on the plasticized quaternary SPE systems. XRD analysis revealed the influence from each component on the crystalline phase. DSC results demonstrated the greater flexibility of the polymer chains, which favored ionic conduction. SEM examination revealed the smooth and homogeneous surface morphology of the plasticized polymer electrolyte films. EIS suggested that the temperature dependence of the films' ionic conductivity obeyed the Vogel–Tamman–Fulcher (VTF) relation, and that the segmental movement of the polymer chains was closely related to ionic conduction with increasing temperature. The pre‐exponential factor and pseudo activation energy both increased with increasing plasticizer content and were maximized at 40 wt% plasticizer content. The charge transport in all polymer electrolyte films was predominantly reliant on lithium ions. All transference numbers were less than 0.5. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry