Development of TiO2-Doped Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)-Based Composite Polymer Electrolyte for Electrical Double Layer Capacitor (EDLC) Applications

Liang, Yik Hoong (2025) Development of TiO2-Doped Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)-Based Composite Polymer Electrolyte for Electrical Double Layer Capacitor (EDLC) Applications. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

To address the growing dependence on fossil fuels as an energy source, solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) have been developed for the application of electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs). However, its conductivity is insufficient for the intended use. This research aims to develop composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) for EDLCs using biodegradable polymer such as PVA and ammonium acetate with the addition of a nanofiller, titanium dioxide (TiO₂), to further improve the ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolyte. The TiO₂-doped PVA-based CPE is prepared using the solution casting technique. EIS, FTIR and TGA analyses were conducted to characterize the CPE. Furthermore, CV and GCD analyses were performed to characterize the EDLC cell. The PVA/ammonium acetate CPE exhibited a maximum ionic conductivity of (0.19±0.01) mScm⁻¹ while the TiO₂-doped PVA-based CPE exhibited a maximum ionic conductivity of (0.46±0.01) mScm⁻¹ at ambient temperature. The ion conduction mechanism follows Arrhenius theory, where the ion hopping mechanism occurs along the polymer backbone. The complexation of PVA, ammonium acetate and TiO2 was verified through ATR-FTIR analysis. The working potential window of PE slightly increases upon the addition of TiO2. EDLC was fabricated using highest conducting CPE. The addition of TiO₂ to the PE increased the specific capacitance of the EDLC cell from 0.65 Fg⁻¹ to 5.90 Fg⁻¹ in CV analysis. The results obtained are in good agreement with results from GCD analysis.