BIO-BASED LICL-CONTAINING HYDROGEL ELECTROLYTES FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY STORAGE: STRUCTURE–EFFICIENCY RELATIONSHIPS

The development of safer and more sustainable electrolytes is a key challenge for next-generation of energy storage. In this work, we investigate bio-based hydrogels composed of starch, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and gluten, incorporating lithium chloride (LiCl) as an ionic charge carrier. These materials are designed as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional carbonate-based liquid electrolytes. The relationship between the physicochemical structure of the hydrogels and their ionic conductivity is explored using a multi-technique approach. Ionic conductivity are evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), while differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) provides insights into thermal transitions. Rheological measurements (amplitude and frequency sweeps) are used to assess the viscoelastic network structure, which plays a critical role in ion mobility. Complementary structural analyses are performed using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy to probe molecular interactions between polymer chains and lithium ions, and X-ray diffraction to evaluate the degree of crystallinity and its influence on ion transport pathways. The results obtained contribute to a better understanding of bio-based hydrogel systems containing lithium salts and provide a basis for discussing how their structural and physicochemical characteristics may relate to ion transport properties. This study highlights the potential of bio-based hydrogels as promising solid-like electrolytes for sustainable energy storage applications and provides fundamental insights into the design of next-generation green electrolytic systems.