Characterization of methylcellulose based composite polymer electrolytes reinforced with Reduced-Graphene oxide

Abstract

This work reports the effect of reduced-graphene oxide (ReGO) on the conductivity and other properties of ammonium bromide (NH4Br) doped methylcellulose-based electrolytes. Hydrazine monohydrate, N2H2·H2O is used as the reducing agent in synthesising ReGO from graphene oxide (GO). Methylcellulose-NH4Br-ReGO based electrolytes are prepared using solution cast method. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis provides the evidence of interaction between the materials. Introduction of 0.3 wt% ReGO has maximized the conductivity of electrolyte up to (9.00 ± 0.38) × 10−4 S cm−1. From transport analysis, the conductivity is found to be influenced by the number density (n) and mobility (μ) of ion. Conductivity result is supported by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis. Ionic transference number (tion) of the highest conducting electrolyte is found to be 0.94, thus confirming ions as the dominant charge carriers. The highest conducting electrolyte shows a potential stability up to 1.7 V.