Electrical conductivity of pectin-based biopolymer electrolytes: search for a theoretical framework

Abstract

This paper reports the successful fabrications of polymer electrolytes using biopolymer pectin in conjunction with ammonium azide (NaN<inf>3</inf>) salt by solution casting method. The ionic conductivity of these electrolytes was evaluated using EIS at room temperature. Among the compositions tested, the highest conductivity of 2.3 × 10−3 S cm−1 was observed to sample of 5 wt.% of NaN<inf>3</inf>. The charge carriers' concentration (n) and mobility (µ) were calculated to understand the conductivity behavior attributed to dispersoids. For the calculation of n and μ, two theoretical models were used, namely the Trukhan and the S&G Model. The correlations between conductivity, n and μ are discussed. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2024.