Electrical properties of starch-PVA biodegradable polymer blend

Abstract

Solid polymer electrolyte films were prepared by adding different contents of potassium chloride (KCl) in a polymer matrix composed of two versatile biodegradable polymers: starch and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), using the solution cast method. The complexation of the added salt (KCl) with the polymer matrix was confirmed from an x-ray diffraction study (XRD). The evolution of a smooth and uniform morphology with the increasing content of KCl was confirmed from scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The transference number measurement established ions as the dominant charge carriers in the system. The maximum ionic conductivity ∼5.44 × 10-5 S cm-1 at ambient conditions was obtained for the film with 1.5 wt% of KCl using complex impedance spectroscopy. The ionic conductivity and dielectric constant increased with the salt content, thus affirming the amplification in the number of charge carriers. The noteworthy aspect of the investigation is the observation of appreciable ionic conductivity at a relatively low salt content. Low values of activation energy obtained from temperature-dependent ionic conductivity could be favorable from the point of view of the application. Electric modulus studies confirmed the absence of electrode polarization effects in the polymer electrolyte films. The scaling of the electric modulus shows a distribution of relaxation times in the polymer electrolyte films. The study unveils the efficiency of the starch-PVA blend, with glycerol and citric acid as additives, as a hopeful material for preparing biodegradable solid polymer electrolyte films. © 2015 The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.