High ionic conductivity of “Room Temperature Molten Salt” based PVA hydrogel electrolyte prepared by electron beam irradiation

Abstract

In order to improve the safety and environmental friendliness of electrolytes, it is necessary to enhance the ionic conductivity of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel electrolytes. Herein, we present a method for the preparation of PVA hydrogels using electron beam irradiation, and based on this method, a high strength PVA hydrogel with breaking strength of 78 kPa was obtained. It was combined with room-temperature inorganic hydrated molten salt (RTMS) to prepare RTMS-PVA hydrogel electrolytes with a maximum ionic conductivity of 70.6 mS cm−1, and the assembled NaCoHCF/AC aqueous ion battery at 1C The capacity retention after 100 cycles was 98%, achieving a highly stable PVA hydrogel with high ionic conductivity. This protocol is not only cost-effective in terms of raw materials and synthetic routes, simple to operate, and nontoxic, but also provides an avenue to realize large-scale industrial production.