Magnetic resonance and conductivity study of gelatin-based proton conductor polymer electrolytes

Nanocomposite Polymer Electrolytes of Sodium Alginate and Montmorillonite Clay

Nanocomposite polymer electrolytes (NPEs) were synthesized using sodium alginate (Alg) and either sodium (SCa-3-Na⁺)- or lithium (SCa-3-Li⁺)-modified montmorillonite clays. The samples were characterized by structural, optical, and electrical properties. SCa-3-Na⁺ and SCa-3-Li⁺ clays’ X-ray structural analyses revealed peaks at 2θ = 7.2° and 6.7° that corresponded to the interlamellar distances of 12.3 and 12.8 Å, respectively. Alg-based NPEs X-ray diffractograms showed exfoliated structures for samples with low clay percentages. The increase of clay content promoted the formation of intercalated structures. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy revealed that Alg-based NPEs with 5 wt% of SCa-3-Na⁺ clay presented the highest conductivity of 1.96 × 10⁻² S/cm², and Alg with 10 wt% of SCa-3-Li⁺ showed conductivity of 1.30 × 10⁻² S/cm², both measured at 70 °C. From UV-Vis spectroscopy, it was possible to infer that increasing concentration of clay promoted a decrease of the samples’ transmittance and, consequently, an increase of their reflectance.

Bio-Based Polymer Electrolytes for Electrochemical Devices: Insight into the Ionic Conductivity Performance

With the continuing efforts to explore alternatives to petrochemical-based polymers and the escalating demand to minimize environmental impact, bio-based polymers have gained a massive amount of attention over the last few decades. The potential uses of these bio-based polymers are varied, from household goods to high end and advanced applications. To some extent, they can solve the depletion and sustainability issues of conventional polymers. As such, this article reviews the trends and developments of bio-based polymers for the preparation of polymer electrolytes that are intended for use in electrochemical device applications. A range of bio-based polymers are presented by focusing on the source, the general method of preparation, and the properties of the polymer electrolyte system, specifically with reference to the ionic conductivity. Some major applications of bio-based polymer electrolytes are discussed. This review examines the past studies and future prospects of these materials in the polymer electrolyte field.