Optimization type of filler on electrochemical and thermal properties of gel polymer electrolytes membranes for safety lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Abstract Gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) membranes of polyvinylidene fluoride-based polymer matrix of different filler types such as nano-clay, ZnO, and SiO2 extracted from fly ash is produced using the non-solvent induced phase separation method. Moreover, the electrochemical properties, electrode compatibility, and the batteries performance are investigated using these gel electrolyte membranes. It is observed that gel electrolytes with nano-clay filler exhibited more stable ionic conductivity and charge–discharge performance than those containing ZnO and SiO2 extracted from fly ash. A maximum ionic conductivity of 5.62 × 10–3 S cm−1 was obtained with the addition of 8 wt% nano-clay filler at room temperature. The LiFePO4 performance assembled with these membranes is examined using coin cells (LiFePO4/GPE/graphite). After 50 cycles with a rate of 0.2 C, the battery with a different filler retained 97.7% of its initial capacity. It should be noted that this type of filler influences the electrolyte absorption, electrochemical properties, and performance of the LiFePO4.