PEO/Starch-Nanocrystals Based Solid Polymer Electrolyte Membranes for Magnesium Ion Conducting Applications

Abstract

PEO/SNCs based nanocomposite electrolyte membrane complexed with MgBr₂ salt (15 wt.%) was fabricated following conventional solution casting technique. The effect of incorporation of salt ions on microstructural properties of host matrix of PEO/SNCs were investigated by means of XRD, FTIR, DSC studies. The modifications in the nature of diffraction peaks and vibrational modes of nanocomposites revealed the formation of strong hydrogen bonding and cross links between SNCs and salt ions. A decrease of melting and glass transition temperatures of host matrix was observed as a result of salt doping. The complex electrochemical impedance measurements were carried out in the applied frequency range of 0.1 Hz – 1 MHz and in the temperature range of 303–373 K. The PEO/SNCs composite complexed with 15 wt.% salt showed room temperature ionic conductivity of 7.8 × 10^–8 S/cm promising for soft electronics, solid state ionics and sensing applications.