A highly ionic conductive solid-gel membrane based on polyacrylamide hydrogels with a K2CO3 additive was investigated. The polymer-based gel was prepared by adding ionic species K2CO3 to a monomer solution followed by polymerization. After polymerization, the ionic species was embedded in the polymer-based gel, where it remained. The ionic species behaved like a liquid electrolyte, whereas the polymer-based solid-gel membrane provided a smooth impenetrable surface that allowed for the exchange of ions. The gel membranes were obtained in the form of thin films of reasonable mechanical strength. Their ambient temperature conductivities were in the range 10(-2) to 10(-1) S/cm. The effect of K2CO3 concentration on the conductivity of the gels prepared was examined in the temperature range from 0 to 100 degreesC. The microstructure and chemical composition of the gels studied were characterized by environmental scanning electron microscopy and FTIR, respectively. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.