Electrospun octa(3-chloropropyl)-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-modified polyvinylidene fluoride/poly(acrylonitrile)/poly(methylmethacrylate) gel polymer electrolyte for high-performance lithium ion battery

Gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) based on octa(3-chloropropyl)-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (OCP-POSS)-modified polyvinylidene fluoride/poly(acrylonitrile) /poly(methylmethacrylate) (PVDF/PAN/PMMA) fibrous membrane was prepared by electrospinning method to improve the thermal stability of GPE and prevent the leakage of liquid electrolyte for lithium ion battery. The effect of OCP-POSS content on the morphology, porosity and electrolyte uptake, mechanical strength, thermal stability of spinning fibrous membrane and ionic conductivity, electrochemical stability window, and interface resistance of GPE was investigated. The cycle performance of cells assembled with GPE was also tested. The results show that the spinning fibrous membrane with 10 wt% OCP-POSS possesses high electrolyte uptake (660%) and excellent thermal stability. The ionic conductivity of corresponding GPE is 9.23 × 10^?3 S cm^?1 at room temperature and the electrochemical stability window is up to 5.82 V; the interface resistance of 10 wt% OCP-POSS modified GPE decreases by 42% after 168 h compared with pure PVDF/PAN/PMMA GPE. Furthermore, cells assembled with 10 wt% OCP-POSS modified GPE show high discharge capacity (166.5 mA h g^?1 at 0.1 C) and excellent cycle stability during 50 cycles. The results indicate that the GPE could improve the safety of lithium ion battery and show great potential in lithium ion battery applications.     

Fabrication and characterization of SiO2/PVDF composite nanofiber‐coated PP nonwoven separators for lithium‐ion batteries

SiO₂/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composite nanofiber‐coated polypropylene (PP) nonwoven membranes were prepared by electrospinning of SiO₂/PVDF dispersions onto both sides of PP nonwovens. The goal of this study was to combine the good mechanical strength of PP nonwoven with the excellent electrochemical properties of SiO₂/PVDF composite nanofibers to obtain a new high‐performance separator. It was found that the addition of SiO₂ nanoparticles played an important role in improving the overall performance of these nanofiber‐coated nonwoven membranes. Among the membranes with various SiO₂ contents, 15% SiO₂/PVDF composite nanofiber‐coated PP nonwoven membranes provided the highest ionic conductivity of 2.6 × 10^?3 S cm^?1 after being immersed in a liquid electrolyte, 1 mol L^?1 lithium hexafluorophosphate in ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate and diethyl carbonate. Compared with pure PVDF nanofiber‐coated PP nonwoven membranes, SiO₂/PVDF composite fiber‐coated PP nonwoven membranes had greater liquid electrolyte uptake, higher electrochemical oxidation limit, and lower interfacial resistance with lithium. SiO₂/PVDF composite fiber‐coated PP nonwoven membrane separators were assembled into lithium/lithium iron phosphate cells and demonstrated high cell capacities and good cycling performance at room temperature. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013 , 51, 1719–1726     

Polymer/colloid dual-phase electrolyte membrane for rechargeable lithium batteries

In this work, a polymer/ceramic phase-separation porous membrane is first prepared from polyvinyl alcohol–polyacrylonitrile water emulsion mixed with fumed nano-SiO₂ particles by the phase inversion method. This porous membrane is then wetted by a non-aqueous Li–salt liquid electrolyte to form the polymer/colloid dual-phase electrolyte membrane. Compared to the liquid electrolyte in conventional polyolefin separator, the obtained electrolyte membrane has superior properties in high ionic conductivity (1.9 mS?cm^?1 at 30 °C), high Li⁺ transference number (0.41), high electrochemical stability (extended up to 5.0 V versus Li⁺/Li on stainless steel electrode), and good interfacial stability with lithium metal. The test cell of Li/LiCoO₂ with the electrolyte membrane as separator also shows high-rate capability and excellent cycle performance. The polymer/colloid dual-phase electrolyte membrane shows promise for application in rechargeable lithium batteries.     

Conducting properties of nanocomposite polymer electrolytes based on polyethylene glycol diacrylate and SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles at the interface with a lithium electrode

Nanocomposite polymer electrolytes based on polyethylene glycol diacrylate and 1 M LiBF₄ solution in γ-butyrolactone with addition of SiO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized and studied. Resistance measurement at the Li/electrolyte and Li/nanocomposite electrolyte interface by the time-resolved electrochemical impedance showed its significant decrease in the presence of SiO₂ nanoparticles. Charge-discharge cycling of prototypes of Li/LiFePO₄ batteries for 50 cycles also showed the advantage of using nanocomposite polymer electrolytes over electrolytes without SiO₂ additives.     

Effect of nanoscale CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> on PVDF-HFP-based nanocomposite porous polymer electrolytes for Li-ion batteries

New poly (vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoro propylene) (PVDF-HFP)/CeO₂-based microcomposite porous polymer membranes (MCPPM) and nanocomposite porous polymer membranes (NCPPM) were prepared by phase inversion technique using N-methyl 2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent and deionized water as a nonsolvent. Phase inversion occurred on the MCPPM/NCPPM when it is treated by deionized water (nonsolvent). Microcomposite porous polymer electrolytes (MCPPE) and nanocomposite porous polymer electrolytes (NCPPE) were obtained from their composite porous polymer membranes when immersed in 1.0 M LiClO₄ in a mixture of ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate (EC/DMC) (v/v = 1:1) electrolyte solution. The structure and porous morphology of both composite porous polymer membranes was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. Thermal behavior of both MCPPM/NCPPM was investigated from DSC analysis. Optimized filler (8 wt% CeO₂) added to the NCPPM increases the porosity (72%) than MCPPM (59%). The results showed that the NCPPE has high electrolyte solution uptake (150%) and maximum ionic conductivity value of 2.47 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature. The NCPPE (8 wt% CeO₂) between the lithium metal electrodes were found to have low interfacial resistance (760 Ω cm²) and wide electrochemical stability up to 4.7 V (vs Li/Li⁺) investigated by impedance spectra and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), respectively. A prototype battery, which consists of NCPPE between the graphite anode and LiCoO₂ cathode, proves good cycling performance at a discharge rate of C/2 for Li-ion polymer batteries.     

Preparation of PVDF/PEO-PPO-PEO blend microporous membranes for lithium ion batteries via thermally induced phase separation process

Microporous poly(vinylidene fluoride)/polyethylene oxide-co-polypropylene oxide-co-polyethylene oxide (PVDF/PEO-PPO-PEO, or PVDF/F127) blend membranes were prepared via thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) process using sulfolane as the diluent. Then they were soaked in a liquid electrolyte to form polymer electrolytes. The effects of F127 weight fraction on the morphology, crystallinity and porosity of the blend membranes were studied. It was found that both electrolyte uptake of blend membranes and ionic conductivity of corresponding polymer electrolytes increased with the increase of F127 weight fraction. The maximum ionic conductivity was found to reach 2.94 ± 0.02 × 10⁻³ S/cm at 20 °C. Electrochemical stability window was stable up to 4.7 V (vs. Li⁺/Li). The testing results indicated that the PVDF/F127 blend membranes prepared via TIPS process can be used as the polymer microporous matrices of polymer electrolytes for lithium ion batteries.     

Preparation and characterization of PVDF‐based blend membranes as polymer electrolyte membranes in fuel cells: Study of factor affecting the proton conductivity behavior

There is a huge demand especially for polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and its copolymers to provide high performance solid polymer electrolytes for use as an electrolyte in energy supply systems. In this regard, the blending approach was used to prepare PVDF‐based proton exchange membranes and focused on the study of factor affecting the ir proton conductivity behavior. Thus, a series of copolymers consisting of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), and poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐l‐propanesulfonic acid) (PAMPS) as sulfonated segments were synthesized and blended with PVDF matrix in order to create proton transport sites in PVDF matrix. It was found that addition of PMMA‐co‐PAMPS and PAN‐co‐PAMPS copolymers resulted in a significant increase in porosity, which favored the water uptake and proton transport at ambient temperature. Furthermore, crystallinity degree of the PVDF‐based blend membranes was increased by addition of the related copolymers, which is mainly attributed to formation of hydrogen bonding interaction between PVDF matrix and the synthesized copolymers, and led to a slight decrease in proton conductivity behavior of blend membranes. From impedance data, the proton conductivity of the PVDF/PMMA‐co‐PAMPS and PVDF/PAN‐co‐PAMPS blend membranes increases to 10 and 8.4 mS cm⁻¹ by adding only 50% of the related copolymer (at 25°C), respectively. Also, the blend membranes containing 30% sulfonated copolymers showed a power density as high as 34.30 and 30.10 mW cm⁻² at peak current density of 140 and 79.45 mA cm⁻² for the PVDF/PMMA‐co‐PAMPS and PVDF/PAN‐co‐PAMPS blend membranes, respectively. A reduction in the tensile strength was observed by the addition of amphiphilic copolymer, whereas the elongation at break of all blend membranes was raised.     

Electrospun cellulose acetate/poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanofibrous membrane for polymer lithium-ion batteries

The membranes for gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) for lithium-ion batteries were prepared by electrospinning a blend of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF) with cellulose acetate (CA). The performances of the prepared membranes and the resulted GPEs were investigated, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), porosity, hydrophilicity, electrolyte uptake, mechanical property, thermal stability, AC impedance measurements, linear sweep voltammetry, and charge–discharge cycle tests. The effect of the ratio of CA to PVdF on the performance of the prepared membranes was considered. It is found that the GPE based on the blended polymer with CA:PVdF =2:8 (in weight) has an outstanding combination property-strength (11.1 MPa), electrolyte uptake (768.2 %), thermal stability (no shrinkage under 80 °C without tension), and ionic conductivity (2.61 × 10^?3 S cm^?1). The Li/GPE/LiCoO₂ battery using this GPE exhibits superior cyclic stability and storage performance at room temperature. Its specific capacity reaches up to 204.15 mAh g^?1, with embedded lithium capacity utilization rate of 74.94 %, which is higher than the other lithium-ion batteries with the same cathode material LiCoO₂ (about 50 %).     

Influence of barium titanate nanofiller on PEO/PVdF-HFP blend-based polymer electrolyte membrane for Li-battery applications

Organic-inorganic hybrid membranes based on poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) 6.25 wt%/poly(vinylidene fluoride hexa fluoro propylene) [P(VdF-HFP)] 18.75 wt% were prepared by using various concentration of nanosized barium titanate (BaTiO₃) filler. Structural characterizations were made by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, which indicate the inclusion of BaTiO₃ in to the polymer matrix. Addition of filler creates an effective route of polymer-filler interface and promotes the ionic conductivity of the membranes. From the ionic conductivity results, 6 wt% of BaTiO₃-incorporated composite polymer electrolyte (CPE) showed the highest ionic conductivity (6 × 10^?3 Scm^?1 at room temperature). It is found that the filler content above 6 wt% rendered the membranes less conducting. Morphological images reveal that the ceramic filler was embedded over the membrane. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) of the CPE sample with 6 wt% of the BaTiO₃ shows high thermal stability. Electrochemical performance of the composite polymer electrolyte was studied in LiFePO₄/CPE/Li coin cell. Charge-discharge cycle has been performed for the film exhibiting higher conductivity. These properties of the nanocomposite electrolyte are suitable for Li-batteries.     

Review on gel polymer electrolytes for lithium batteries

This paper reviews the state-of-art of polymer electrolytes in view of their electrochemical and physical properties for the applications in lithium batteries. This review mainly encompasses on five polymer hosts namely poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF) and poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoro propylene) (PVdF-HFP) as electrolytes. Also the ionic conductivity, morphology, porosity and cycling behavior of PVdF-HFP membranes prepared by phase inversion technique with different non-solvents have been presented. The cycling behavior of LiMn₂O₄/polymer electrolyte (PE)/Li cells is also described.     

Ultraviolet-Cured Semi-Interpenetrating Network Polymer Electrolytes for High-Performance Quasi-Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries

Solid polymer electrolytes with relatively low ionic conductivity at room temperature and poor mechanical strength greatly restrict their practical applications. Herein, we design semi-interpenetrating network polymer (SNP) electrolyte composed of an ultraviolet-crosslinked polymer network (ethoxylated trimethylolpropane triacrylate), linear polymer chains (polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) and lithium salt solution to satisfy the demand of high ionic conductivity, good mechanical flexibility, and electrochemical stability for lithium metal batteries. The semi-interpenetrating network has a pivotal effect in improving chain relaxation, facilitating the local segmental motion of polymer chains and reducing the polymer crystallinity. Thanks to these advantages, the SNP electrolyte shows a high ionic conductivity (1.12 mS cm⁻¹ at 30 °C), wide electrochemical stability window (4.6 V vs. Li⁺/Li), good bendability and shape versatility. The promoted ion transport combined with suppressed impedance growth during cycling contribute to good cell performance. The assembled quasi-solid-state lithium metal batteries (LiFePO₄/SNP/Li) exhibit good cycling stability and rate capability at room temperature.     

Kinetic and galvanostatic studies of a polymer electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries

Quaternary polymer electrolyte (PE) based on poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid (EMImBF₄), sulfolane (TMS) and lithium hexafluorophosphate salt (LiPF₆) (PAN-EMImBF₄-sulfolane-LIPF₆) was prepared by the casting technique. Obtained PE films of ca. 0.2–0.3 mm in thickness showed good mechanical properties. They were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetry (TGA, DSC), the flammability test, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and galvanostatic charging/discharging. SEM images revealed a structure consisting of a polymer network (PAN) and space probably occupied by the liquid phase (LiPF₆ + EMImBF₄ + sulfolane). The polymer electrolyte in contact with an outer flame source did not ignite; it rather underwent decomposition without the formation of flammable products. Room temperature specific conductivity was ca. 2.5 mS cm^?1. The activation energy of the conding process was ca. 9.0 kJ mol^?1. Compatibility of the polymer electrolyte with metallic lithium and graphite anodes was tested applying the galvanostatic method. Charge transfer resistance for the C₆Li → Li⁺ + e^? anode processes, estimated from EIS curve, was ca. 48 Ω. The graphite anode capacity stabilizes at ca. 350 mAh g^?1 after the 30th cycle (20 mA g^?1).     

PVDF/PMMA brushes membrane for lithium‐ion rechargeable batteries prepared via preirradiation grafting technique

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was anchored to multiporous poly(vinylidine fluoride) (PVDF) surface via electron beam preirradiation grafting technique to prepare PVDF/PMMA brushes. The conformation of the PVDF/PMMA brushes was verified through Attenuated total reflection‐Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermal stability of PVDF/PMMA brushes was characterized by thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The degradation of PVDF/PMMA brushes showed a two‐step pattern. PVDF/PMMA brushes membrane could be used as polymer electrolyte in lithium‐ion rechargeable batteries after it was activated by uptaking 1 M LiPF₆/EC‐DMC (ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate; EC:DMC = 1:1 by volume) electrolyte solution. The activated membrane showed high ionic conductivity, 6.1 × 10^?3 S cm^?1 at room temperature, and a good electrochemical stability up to 5.0 V. The excellent performances of multiporous PVDF‐g‐PMMA membranes suggest that they are suitable for application in high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 751–758, 2008     

Mechanical and Electrochemical Properties of New Nanocomposite Polymer Electrolytes Based on Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) and SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Addition

Nanocomposite polymer electrolytes based on the system poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)–liquid electrolyte 1 mol/L LiBF₄ in gamma-butyrolactone which is modified by introducing up to 10 wt % of SiO₂ nanopowder (an average particle size of 7 nm) are synthesized and characterized. The introduction of SiO₂ nanoparticles worsens the elasticity of films but increases their fracture stress to 24 MPa. The conductivity of the nanocomposite electrolytes containing SiO₂ nanoparticles is higher than that without SiO₂ and attains 3.7 mS/cm at 20°C for the electrolyte containing 1.25 wt % SiO₂. Upon the introduction of SiO₂ nanoparticles, the electrochemical stability of electrolytes grows by 0.50–0.85 V and attains 6.7 V relative to Li/Li⁺.     

Study of Carbamate‐Modified Disiloxane in Porous PVDF‐HFP Membranes: New Electrolytes/Separators for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

A gel electrolyte membrane is obtained through the absorption of a carbamate‐modified liquid disiloxane‐containing lithium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide (LiTFSI) by using macroporous poly(vinylidene fluoride–hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF‐HFP) membranes. The porous membranes are prepared by means of a phase inversion technique. The resulting gel electrolyte membrane is studied by using differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and microscope mapping through coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) confocal microscopy and impedance spectroscopy. The ionic conductivity of the gel electrolyte is 10^?4 S cm^?1 at 20 °C. FTIR spectroscopy reveals interactions between LiTFSI and the carbonyl moiety of the disiloxane. No interactions between LiTFSI and PVDF‐HFP or between disiloxane and PVDF‐HFP are detected by FTIR spectroscopy. Furthermore, the distribution of the α and β/γ phases of PVDF‐HFP and the homogeneous distribution of disiloxane/LiTFSI in the gel electrolyte membranes are examined by FTIR mapping. CARS confocal microscopy is used to image the three‐dimensional interconnectivity, which reveals a reticulated structure of macrovoids in the porous PVDF‐HFP framework. Owing to properties such as electrochemical and thermal stability of the disiloxane‐based liquid electrolyte and the mechanical stability of the porous PVDF‐HFP membrane, the gel electrolyte membranes presented herein are promising candidates for applications as electrolytes/separators in lithium‐ion batteries.     

Correlation between the structural,electrical and electrochemical performance of layered Li(Ni<Subscript>0.33</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.33</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.33</Subscript>)O<Subscript>2</Subscript> for lithium ion battery

The Li(Ni_0.33Co_0.33Mn_0.33)O₂ (LNCMO) cathode material is prepared by poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP)-assisted sol-gel/hydrothermal and poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly (ethylene glycol) (Pluronic-P123)-assisted hydrothermal methods. The compound prepared by PVP-assisted hydrothermal method shows a comparatively higher electrical conductivity of ~2?×?10^?5 S cm^?1 and exhibits a discharge capacity of 152 mAh g^?1 in the voltage range of 2.5 to 4.4 V, for a C-rate of 0.2 C, whereas the compounds prepared by P123-assisted hydrothermal method and PVP-assisted sol-gel method show a total electrical conductivity in the order of 10^?6 S cm^?1 and result in poor electrochemical performance. The structural and electrical properties of LNCMO (active material) and its electrochemical performance are correlated. The difference in percentage of ionic and electronic conductivity contribution to the total electrical conductivity is compared by transference number studies. The cation disorder is found to be the limiting factor for the lithium ion diffusion as determined from ionic conductivity values.     

Enhanced electrochemical properties of a novel polyvinyl formal membrane supporting gel polymer electrolyte by Al2O3 modification

Polyvinyl formal (PVFM)‐based dense polymer membranes with nano‐Al₂O₃ doping are prepared via phase inversion method. The membranes and also their performances as gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) for lithium ion battery are studied by field emission scanning electron microscope, X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, mechanical strength test, electrolyte uptake test, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and charge–discharge test. The polymer membrane with 3 wt % nano‐Al₂O₃ doping shows the improved mechanical strength of 12.16 MPa and electrolyte uptake of 431.25% compared with 10.47 MPa and 310.59% of the undoped sample, respectively. The membrane absorbs and swells liquid electrolyte to form stable GPE with ionic conductivity of 4.92 × 10^?4 S cm^?1 at room temperature, which is higher than 1.77 × 10^?4 S cm^?1 of GPE from the undoped membrane. Moreover, the Al₂O₃‐modified membrane supporting GPE exhibits wide electrochemical stability window of 1.2–4.8 V (vs. Li/Li⁺) and good compatibility with LiFePO₄ electrode, which implies Al₂O₃‐modified PVFM‐based GPE to be a promising candidate for lithium ion batteries. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014 , 52, 572–577     

五种1-烷基-2,3-二甲基咪唑型离子液体的合成及作为Li/LiFeO_4电池电解液的研究

合成了五种新的1-烷基-2,3-二甲基咪唑二(三氟甲基磺酰)亚胺离子液体(alkyl-DMimTFSI).以离子液体作为Li/LiFeO4电池电解液,分别考察不同烷基(正丁基、正戊基、正辛基、异辛基和正癸基)对电解液理化性质、界面性质和电池行为的影响.结果表明离子液体的电化学窗口都可以达到5.6V(-0.4～5.2Vvs.Li+/Li),显示它们具有较好的电化学稳定性.加入碳酸亚乙烯酯作为添加剂后,离子液体电解液在Li负极形成稳定的固体电解质相界面膜(SEI),从而提高了Li负极的稳定性,保护了Li片不受腐蚀.电化学阻抗和循环伏安分析进一步揭示LiFeO4正极与离子液体电解液也有良好的兼容性.此外,研究还表明离子液体中烷基种类严重影响它们的电池行为.采用butyl-DMimTFSI和amyl-DMimTFSI电解液体系的电池充放电容量和可逆性明显优于另外三种离子液体,它们的首次放电容量分别达到145和152.6mAh/g,并表现出良好的充放电循环性能.因粘度最大,采用isooctyl-DMimTFSI电解液的电池首次放电容量仅为8.3mAh/g,但添加碳酸丙烯酯(质量比1∶1)稀释后首次放电容量上升至132.4mAh/g.     

Lithium AlPO<Subscript>4</Subscript> composite polymer battery with nanostructured LiMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> cathode

The borate ester plasticized AlPO₄ composite solid polymer electrolytes (SPE) have been synthesized and studied as candidates for lithium polymer battery (LPB) application. The electrochemical and thermal properties of SPE were shown to be suitable for practical LPB. Nanostructured LiMn₂O₄ with spherical particles was synthesized via ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique and has shown a superior performance to the one prepared via conventional methods as cathode for LPB. Furthermore, the AlPO₄ addition to the polymer electrolyte has improved the polymer battery performance. Based on the AC impedance spectroscopy data, the performance improvement was suggested as being due to the cathode/polymer electrolyte interface stabilization in the presence of AlPO₄. The Li/composite polymer electrolyte/nanostructured LiMn₂O₄ electrochemical cell showed stable cyclability during the various current density tests, and its performance was found to be quite acceptable for practical utilities at ambient temperature and showed remarkable improvements at 60 °C compared with the solid state reaction counterpart.     

Nanocrystalline cellulose-reinforced composite mats for lithium-ion batteries: electrochemical and thermomechanical performance

Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC)-reinforced poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP) composite mats have been prepared by electrospinning method. Polymer electrolytes formed by activating the composite mats with 1 M lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide/1-butyl-3-methypyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide electrolyte solution. The addition of 2 wt% NCC in PVdF-HFP improved the electrolyte retention and storage modulus of the separator by 63 and 15 %, respectively. The developed electrolyte demonstrated high value of ionic conductivity viz. 4?×?10^?4?S?cm^?1 at 30 °C. Linear scan voltammetry revealed a wide electrochemical stability of the composite mat separator up to 5 V (vs. Li⁺/Li). Cyclic voltammetry of the polymer electrolyte with a graphite electrode in 2.5 to 0 V (vs. Li⁺/Li) potential range showed a reversible intercalation/de-intercalation of Li⁺ ions in the graphite. No peaks were observed related to the reduction of the electrolyte on the anode.