Effect of nano-clay on ionic conductivity and electrochemical properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) based nanocomposite porous polymer membranes and their application as polymer electrolyte in lithium ion batteries

• Published in: European polymer journal 2013-02, Vol.49 (2), p.307-318
• Main Authors: Prasanth, Raghavan, Shubha, Nageswaran, Hng, Huey Hoon, Srinivasan, Madhavi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Exact sciences and technology; Exchange resins and membranes; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Ionic conductivity; Lithium ion batteries; Montmorrillonite clay; Phase inversion; Polymer gel electrolytes; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymer–clay nanocomposite; Technology of polymers
• ISSN: 0014-3057; 1873-1945
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2012.10.033

[Display omitted] ► PVdF–clay nanocomposite membranes are prepared by phase inversion method. ► Composite polymer gel electrolytes had unique transport and electrochemical properties. ► The cells assembled with composite polymer gel electrolyte exhibited better battery performance. ► Nano-clay plays a key role in the electrochemical properties of composite polymer gel electrolyte. Hybrid organic–inorganic polymer gel electrolytes (PGEs) based on polymer–clay nanocomposite microporous membrane containing 1M lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) in ethylene carbonate/diethyl carbonate (EC/DEC) are fabricated and their electrochemical characteristics in lithium ion batteries are studied. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF)–clay nanocomposite membrane containing different clay loading are prepared by phase inversion method. Aqueous suspension of montmorrillonite (MMT) clay in dimethyl acetamide (DMAc) is used as the nano-clay. The morphology of the clay dispersion with sonication time is studied by environmental scanning electron microscope (E-SEM). The intercalation/exfoliation of polymer–clay nanocomposite is characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis are used for the evaluation of thermal properties. DSC analysis shows that crystallinity of nanocomposite decreases with increasing nano-clay content. The effect of clay on the membrane morphology, ionic conductivity and electrochemical properties of the PGEs in lithium ion rechargeable batteries are studied and results are compared. Incorporation of 2wt.% nano-clay in PGE enhances its ionic conductivity from 0.78 to 3.08mScm−1 at room temperature. Li-ion half cell comprising of Li/PVdF–clay(2wt.%)-PGE/LiMn2O4 delivers high charge–discharge capacity (∼120mAhg−1) and shows stable cycle performance.