Solid polymer electrolytes
(SPEs) with high ionic conductivity
and wide electrochemical window are highly desirable for all-solid-state
rechargeable lithium batteries. Herein, we report the use of hydrothermally
derived nano-BaTiO3 (BT) as nanofillers in poly(vinyl acetate)/poly(vinylidene
fluoride–hexafluoro propylene) and its use as composite SPE
(CSPE) for Li-ion batteries. The CSPE was prepared by the solution
casting technique and lithium bis-trifluoromethanesulfonylimide is
used as salt. The molecular interaction among the various constituents
and the surface morphology of the CSPEs were characterized by Fourier-transform
infrared spectroscopy and field-emission scanning electron microscopy
analysis respectively. BT (7.5 wt %) in CSPE was found to be the optimum
composition to obtain a high ion conductivity of 2 × 10–3 S cm–1 at ambient temperature. The CSPE exhibits
better mechanical strength (6.9 MPa), wider electrochemical window
(5.4 V), and higher lithium transference number (0.48) than SPEs.
Solid-state lithium cell was demonstrated as a proof of concept using
lithium as an anode and LiFePO4 and SPE/CSPE (7.5 wt %
BT) as cathode and electrolyte, respectively. The CSPE cell shows
an enhanced specific discharge capacity of 132 mA h g–1 at 0.1 C, cycling performance up to 40 cycles, and 99% coulombic
efficiency. The properties above well support the CSPE as a potential
electrolyte-cum-separator for Li-ion batteries couple with high-voltage
cathode material.
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