Development of xanthan gum-based solid polymer electrolytes with addition of expanded graphite nanosheets

A composite based on natural polymer xanthan gum (XG) and expanded graphite nanosheets (GNs) was prepared for application as a flexible and eco-friendly solid polymer electrolyte (SPE). To evaluate the ionic conductivity, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was performed at different temperatures, ranging from 25 to 80 degrees C, reaching high values of 1.1 x 10(-3) and 2.43 x 10(-3) S cm(-1) at room temperature and 40 degrees C, respectively, for the sample containing 0.5% by weight of GNs. Additional characterizations including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and cyclic voltammetry were implemented to get full structural, morphological and optical relevant features of these samples. The results showed that flexible SPEs based on XG/GNs are very promising and can be used as electrolytes with high potential of application in a wide variety of electrochemical devices.

Automated summary

A composite material based on XG and GNs was found to have high ionic conductivity and is expected to have potential applications in various electrochemical devices.