Sodium iodide dopant mediated enhancements in energy storage characteristics of polysaccharide polymer electrolytes

Sodium iodide dopant influencing the properties of polysaccharide polymer sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is analyzed in this work by FTIR, XRD, DSC, TGA, SEM, UTM, and electrical. Solvation of I⁻ and Na⁺ ions by the −OH group has disrupted the intra– and intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the polymers escorting to a decrease in crystallinity and creating a pathway for ion diffusion. The formation of transient crosslink and the physical environment created by the polymer-ion interaction have affected the rigidity of the polymer chains as well as the thermal stability of the NaCMC−NaI system. I⁻ ion influences the ESW of the NaCMC−NaI system by forming various iodine species. Trapping of the I⁻ ion for the NaCMC70−NaI30 sample has resulted in a drop in ionic conductivity manifested in the transient ionic current curve. A cation transference number of 0.14 indicates the dominance of anion in the ion conduction mechanism. An energy density of 720 mWhkg⁻¹ and power density of 60 mWkg⁻¹ was achieved for a dry cell incorporated with a CI25 sample as the electrolyte and separator.