Solid polymer electrolyte based on tragacanth gum-ammonium thiocyanate

Research towards solid polymer electrolytes based on biopolymers has grown extensively over the past years due to its abundance in nature, non-toxicity, low cost, and biodegradability. When compared to standard biopolymers, electrochemical study on natural gums is very limited. Therefore, in the present work, polymer electrolytes based on gum tragacanth have been prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), thermogravimetry, and transference number studies. The polymer-salt complex formation is confirmed using FTIR studies while XRD spectra reveal the amorphous nature of the polymer membranes. The highest conductivity of 9.161 x 10(-3) S/cm was obtained for the film with 1 g of gum tragacanth and 0.5 g of ammonium thiocyanate. The Thermogravimetry study showed that the electrolyte is thermally stable. The transference number study confirmed that the main charge carriers are ions. The primary battery has been constructed using the prepared electrolyte, and the OCV was found to be 1.31 V.

Automated summary

Research on solid polymer electrolytes based on gum tragacanth has shown promising results in terms of high conductivity and thermal stability, making it a potential candidate for ion transportation in primary batteries. The complex formation of polymer-salt was confirmed by FTIR while XRD analysis revealed the amorphous nature of the polymer membranes. The highest conductivity was achieved for the electrolyte film with specific proportions of gum tragacanth and ammonium thiocyanate.