Cardanol-Derived Epoxy Resins as Biobased Gel Polymer Electrolytes for Potassium-Ion Conduction

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Developing sustainable electrolytes is crucial for next-generation batteries.
• Biobased materials offer a promising alternative to petroleum-based components in energy storage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel biobased gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) membranes.
• To evaluate the performance of these GPEs in potassium-ion batteries (KIBs).

Main Methods:

• Esterification reaction using cardanol-based epoxy resin and anhydrides.
• Nonisothermal differential scanning calorimetry for curing kinetics.
• Dynamic mechanical analysis for mechanical properties.
• Electrochemical testing in KIBs.

Main Results:

• Optimal curing parameters determined with activation energy of ~65-70 kJ mol⁻¹.
• Crosslinking density of 2 × 10⁻⁴ mol cm⁻³ and modulus of 0.65-0.78 MPa achieved.
• GPEs exhibited excellent electrochemical stability (-0.2-5 V) and ionic conductivity (10⁻³ S cm⁻¹).

Conclusions:

• Biobased GPE membranes demonstrate practical viability for KIB applications.
• These materials contribute to the development of sustainable energy storage solutions.
• The study paves the way for eco-friendly next-generation battery technologies.