Investigating the properties of hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose based magnesium ion-conducting solid polymer electrolytes for primary battery applications

In the present work, we propose the preparation and microstructural analysis of Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) based magnesium ion conducting solid polymer electrolytes. The electrolyte films were prepared using a conventional solution casting technique using HPMC and magnesium nitrate salt. FTIR analysis indicates the interaction between the polymer's functional groups and the salt's constituents. The complexation between the polymer and magnesium salt is confirmed by XRD analysis. Impedance analysis accounts for the enhancement of the electrical properties of the system. The electrolyte system containing 30 wt% magnesium nitrate salt exhibits a room temperature ionic conductivity of 6.14 x 10-4 S cm-1. The thermal stability of the films has been investigated using TGA analysis. DSC analysis of the electrolyte systems gives an insight into their thermal properties. A primary battery has been fabricated using the highest conducting electrolyte system and its characteristics have been studied.