Modification in the microstructure of sodium carboxymethylcellulose/polyvinyl alcohol polyblend films through the incorporation of NaNO3 for energy storage applications

• Main Authors: Vipin Cyriac, Ismayil, Mohd Noor, Ikhwan Syafiq, Rojudi, Z. E., Sudhakar, Y. N., Chavan, Chetan, Bhajantri, Rajashekhar F., Murari, M. S.
• Format: Article
• Published: John Wiley and Sons 2022
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/102218/; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/er.8588
• Institution: Universiti Putra Malaysia

In this work, the effect of NaNO3 salt concentration (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 wt.%) on the structural, electrical, and mechanical properties of Na-carboxymethyl cellulose/polyvinyl alcohol polyblend electrolyte films has been studied. X-ray diffraction showed an increase in the amorphous phase of the polymer blend with increasing salt concentration up to samples containing 20 wt.% of NaNO3 supported by the scanning electron microscope studies. Fourier-transform infrared analysis confirmed the complexation of the salt via coordinate bond/hydrogen bond with –OH and –CH groups of the polymer blend. The (Formula presented.) of the samples have been found to increase with salt concentration indicating transient cross-links. Nyquist plot fitting has been performed to evaluate the transport properties; hence carrier concentration influences ionic conductivity. The sample complexed with 20 wt.% of NaNO3 revealed the highest room temperature conductivity of 1.75 × 10−4 S cm−1, among all other samples with suitable mechanical strength to be incorporated into energy storage devices. The highest conducting electrolyte has been incorporated into a primary battery to showcase its potential application in energy storage devices.