Preparation and characterization of biopolymer blend electrolyte membranes based on derived celluloses for lithium-ion batteries separator

Liquid electrolytes in commercial lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are corrosive, volatile and flammable. For these reasons, solid polymer electrolyte membranes are used to replace liquid electrolytes. This research focused on the fabrication of biopolymer blend electrolyte (BBE) membranes by blending commercial methylcellulose (MC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). CMC was synthesized by using microwave-assisted organic synthesis method at the optimum condition of 50°C, 60 min, 100 watts, and BBE membranes were prepared by casting solution technique at room temperature with various compositions. BBE membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, tensile tester, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetry analysis/differential thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis to analyse functional groups, ionic conductivities, mechanical properties, crystallinities, morphological and thermal stability, respectively. The blend membrane polymer host with a composition of MC/CMC (50/50) and 10% LiClO4 salt, which shows a good ionic conductivity, tensile strength, elongation at break and thermal decomposition temperature, i.e., 1.20 × 10−2 S cm−1; 11.02 MPa; 17.33% and 202.84°C, respectively. These characteristics of BBE membranes have potential to be applied as Li-batteries separator.