Structural and ionic transport in biopolymer electrolyte-based PVA: NaAlg with NH4Cl for electrochemical applications

The SC (solution casting) method was used for the preparation PVA/sodium alginate (NaAlg)-based solid-blend electrolytes with different wt % of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl). XRD, FTIR, and AC impedance technique were used to analyse the prepared solid-blend polymer electrolytes. XRD studies revealed amorphous phase of the prepared electrolytes and was due to the addition of NH4Cl. NH4Cl complexation with hybrid PVA/NaAlg blend was confirmed by FTIR. PVA/NaAlg/15-wt. % NH4Cl system observed to have better amorphous phase with a maximum ionic conductivity of 1:014 x 10(-6) S/cm. The temperature-dependent ionic conductivity obeys Arrhenius behaviour. Transference number analysis implies that the charge transport was due to ions. LSV and CV studies exhibited an electrochemical behaviour. The findings of the results infers that the present SBPEs has the potentiality to be applied for electrochemical applications.