Development And Characterization of Magnesium Ion Conducting Biopolymer Electrolyte Using Agar and Magnesium Nitrate Hexa Hydrate

Abstract

The aim of the study was to develop an agar-based biopolymer electrolyte with varying concentrations of Mg(NO3)2.6H2O in double-distilled water as the solvent. To better understand the impact each concentration had on the biopolymer, a range of characterisation techniques were employed - XRD, FTIR, DSC, Ac impedance analysis and transference number measurement being amongst them. XRD was used to determine whether a crystalline or amorphous polymer resulted from the process. Agar and magnesium nitrate may form complexes, according to FTIR. Through the process of differential scanning calorimetery, researchers have pinpointed the glass transition temperatures for a biopolymer electrolyte with superior conductivity. In order to study its performance, a Mg2+ ion primary battery was built using a biopolymer membrane with a highest ionic conducting of 1.74 x 10-4 S cm-1. This electrolyte was comprised of 40% agar and 60% magnesium nitrate in water, and its ionic transference number of Mg2+ had been determined at 0.30 via Evan's methodology.