Biopolymer electrolytes based on carboxymethyl O-carrageenan and imidazolium ionic liquid

Novel biopolymer electrolytes based on carboxymethyl kappa-carrageenan (CMO-carrageenan) and ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl) have been successfully developed. Strong coordination and hydrogen bonding interaction of [Bmim]Cl with the biopolymer were detected by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The efficient function of [Bmim]Cl as the charge carrier in the system was reflected by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) where the highest ionic conductivity (sigma) of (5.76 +/- 0.20) x 10(-3) S cm(-1) was achieved at ambient temperature (298 K) upon 30 wt.% of [Bmim]Cl inclusion. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed that the addition of ionic liquid did not alter the prominent amorphous phase of CMO-carrageenan. Analysis of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) proved the strong interaction of [Bmim]Cl with the biopolymer matrix. The highest conducting biopolymer electrolyte showed an electrochemical stability up to 3.0 V, whereas the transference number measurement revealed that ions are the major elements that contribute to the conductivity with 0.970 ion transference number.