Correlations between the dopant concentration and ion transport properties of plasticized NaCMC-Pectin polyblend electrolyte membranes for electrochemical device applications

Abstract

This study explores the structural and electrical properties of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC)–pectin (PC)–glycerol–NH4Br electrolyte films and investigates their potential applications in proton batteries. Plasticized solid polymer electrolyte (SPEs) films were fabricated using the solution casting method. The interaction between the salt and polymer blends was verified using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. Incorporation of various salt concentrations (up to 25 wt%) was found to enhance the amorphous phase of the polymer blend, as evidenced by X-ray diffraction (XRD) results. Additionally, the decrease in the glass transition temperature, as confirmed by DSC analysis, indicates that the inclusion of both plasticizer and salt contributed to this effect. An electrolyte with 25% wt. of NH4Br has the highest room temperature conductivity of 4.68 ×10−4 S cm−1. This electrolyte was employed to fabricate the proton battery for energy storage application.