A polymer electrolyte based on poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropylene)/hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose blending for lithium-ion battery

A polymer electrolyte based on the blending of poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropylene) (PVDF-HFP) and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) was prepared for the first time. The structure and performance of the gel polymer electrolyte were characterized and measured by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, linear sweep voltammetry, and by a charge/discharge test. The results show that the gel polymer electrolyte has the best performance when PVDF-HFP/HPMC ratio (w/w) is 4:1. At room temperature, the ionic conductivity can reach 0.38?×?10^?3 S cm^?1, the electrochemical stable window is up to 5.0 V (vs. Li/Li⁺), and the half cell of Li/GPE/LiMn₂O₄ shows high-discharge-specific capacity and good cycling performance.