Preparation of Alkaline Polyelectrolyte Membrane Based on Quaternary Ammonium Salt–Modified Cellulose and Its Application in Zn–Air Flexible Battery

Abstract

In this study, a type of alkaline solid polyelectrolyte (ASPE) membrane was developed via the introduction of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and its modified product (QMCC) into the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix. In this process, green NaOH/urea-based solvent was used to achieve a good dispersion of MCC in the PVA matrix; meanwhile, the OH− groups in the NaOH/urea-based solvent provided an alkaline environment for good ion conductivity. Compared to the MCC-incorporated ASPE, further improved conductivity was achieved when the MCC was modified with quantitative quaternary ammonium salt. TGA showed that the addition of QMCC improved the water retention of the matrix, which was beneficial to the OH− conduction in the system. Compared to the control (50 mS cm−1), a maximum conductivity of 238 mS cm−1 was obtained after the incorporation of QMCC in the PVA matrix. Moreover, the tensile strength of the polymer electrolyte were also significantly increased with the addition of QMCC. Finally, this developed ASPE membrane was used in assembling a flexible Zn–air battery and showed a promising potential in the development of flexible electronic devices.

Sulfation of Diethylaminoethyl-Cellulose: QTAIM Topological Analysis and Experimental and DFT Studies of the Properties

“…1 Recently, an increasing number of cellulose-based functional materials have been developed. Lignocelluloses are used in bioethanol production; 1,2 sodium carboxymethyl cellulose serves as a new binder; 3 methyl, hydroxypropyl, and hydroxypropyl methyl celluloses are used as the basis of hydrogels; 4 cellulose fibers are in demand for alkaline batteries 5 and electrochemical capacitor separators. 6 Cellulose-based materials, due to their unique properties, including excellent wettability, high porosity, light weight, biodegradability, and biocompatibility, find widespread application in food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries as food additives, 7 thickeners, 8 pharmaceutical fillers, 9 emulsifiers, 10 etc.…”

“…Recently, an increasing number of cellulose-based functional materials have been developed. Lignocelluloses are used in bioethanol production; , sodium carboxymethyl cellulose serves as a new binder; methyl, hydroxypropyl, and hydroxypropyl methyl celluloses are used as the basis of hydrogels; cellulose fibers are in demand for alkaline batteries and electrochemical capacitor separators …”

Modified Cellulose Proton-Exchange Membranes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

“…Bio-based polymers (natural and semi-synthetic) with or without ion-exchange properties have been effectively considered as membrane and separator materials for various energy storage and conversion systems, such as fuel cells, batteries, and supercapacitors [ 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 , 108 ]. Biopolymers, such as cellulose, chitosan, lignin, and alginate, possess numerous benefits for energy systems, primarily in terms of abundance and cheaper source materials [ 109 , 110 , 111 , 112 ].…”

Interfacial Engineering of Leaf-like Bimetallic MOF-Based Co@NC Nanoarrays Coupled with Ultrathin CoFe-LDH Nanosheets for Rechargeable and Flexible Zn-Air Batteries

“…With the rapid growth of energy demand and the ever-worsening of environmental issues, it is extremely important to explore new energy storage and conversion devices that are economical, efficient, and eco-friendly [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Concurrently, electronics are developing towards portability and flexibility in recent years, posing a major challenge to flexible wearable energy storage devices [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. As one of the next-generation alternative energy technologies, rechargeable Zn-air batteries (ZABs) have broad application prospects in future electric vehicles, portable electronic products, flexible wearable electronic devices, and off-grid power supplies due to their large theoretical energy density, high safety, abundant resources, and environmental amity [ 6 , 8 , 9 ].…”