Preparation of Self-Healing Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Agar Gel Electrolyte with High Toughness and Ionic Conductivity

This study explores the development of a bio-based hydrogel composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and Agar (PVA/Agar), with enhanced mechanical properties, ionic conductivity, and self-healing capabilities. The hydrogel was prepared by dissolving PVA and Agar in deionized water, followed by a freeze/thaw cycling process. To further improve its resilience and conductivity, the hydrogel was soaked in sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions. The impact of varying agar concentrations (0.07g, 0.1g, 0.12g) on porosity and ionic conductivity was examined. The results showed that with 0.07g of agar, the hydrogel exhibited high porosity and an ionic conductivity of 62.03 mS/Cm2. At 0.1g of agar, the pore diameter decreased, and conductivity rose to 139.72 mS/Cm2. With 0.12g of agar, the hydrogel's structure became denser, and conductivity further decreased. Additionally, the PVA/Agar/NaCl hydrogel demonstrated remarkable self-healing abilities, restoring its original shape after damage. These findings present a novel approach for creating flexible, self-regenerating hydrogels with potential applications in wearable technology, smart textiles, and energy storage devices, signaling exciting prospects for future innovations.

Preparation of Self-Healing Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Agar Gel Electrolyte with High Toughness and Ionic Conductivity Keywords:

Energy storage , Gel polymer electrolyte , Soaking , Self-healing