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A Sustainable Gel Polymer Electrolyte for Solid-State Electrochemical Devices
Serena Tombolesi1, Niccolò Zanieri1, Luca Bargnesi1
1Department of Chemistry Giacomo Ciamician, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
Polymers
|July 29, 2023
Summary
This study presents a sustainable gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) without organic solvents. This eco-friendly GPE offers good ionic conductivity and stability for low-voltage electrochemical devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Solid polymer electrolytes, particularly gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs), are gaining traction due to their stability, flexibility, and ionic conductivity.
- GPEs offer advantages over liquid electrolytes, including improved safety and dimensional stability, making them suitable for various electrochemical applications.
- Current research focuses on developing sustainable and easily prepared GPEs as alternatives to conventional electrolytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a sustainable gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) prepared via a simplified route without organic solvents or ionic liquids.
- To evaluate the potential of this PVA-based GPE as a substitute for aqueous electrolytes in low-voltage electrochemical devices (up to 2 V).
- To assess the GPE's performance in supercapacitor and electrochemical sensor applications.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based GPE from an aqueous solution.
- Physicochemical and electrochemical characterization of the GPE.
- Assessment of electrochemical stability using capacitive electrodes in a supercapacitor configuration.
- Evaluation of GPE performance in an electrochemical sensor using a ferrocene/polyvinylidene difluoride system.
Main Results:
- The PVA-based GPE exhibited good ionic conductivity (10^-3 - 10^-2 S cm^-1) and atmospheric stability regarding water loss.
- The GPE demonstrated electrochemical stability when used with capacitive electrodes in a supercapacitor.
- The feasibility of the GPE in an electrochemical sensor configuration was successfully shown.
Conclusions:
- A sustainable and easily prepared PVA-based GPE can effectively substitute aqueous electrolytes in low-voltage electrochemical devices.
- The developed GPE shows promise for applications in supercapacitors and electrochemical sensors.
- This research contributes to the development of eco-friendly materials for advanced energy storage and sensing technologies.
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