Influences of LiCF3SO3 and TiO2 nanofiller on ionic conductivity and mechanical properties of PVA:PVdF blend polymer electrolyte

In recent years, solid polymer electrolytes have been extensively studied due to its flexibility, electrochemical stability, safety, and long life for its applications in various electrochemical devices. Interaction of LiCF3SO3 and TiO2 nanofiller in the optimized composition of PVA:PVdF (80:20-system-A possessing sigma similar to 2.8 x 10(-7) Scm(-1) at 303 K) blend polymer electrolyte have been analyzed in the present study. LiCF3SO3 has been doped in system-A, and the optimized LiCF3SO3 doped sample (80:20:15-system-B possessing sigma similar to 2.7 x 10(-3) Scm(-1) at 303 K) has been identified. The effect of different concentration of TiO2 in system-B has been analyzed and the optimized system is considered as system-C (sigma similar to 3.7 x 10(-3) Scm(-1) at 303 K). The cost effective, solution casting technique has been used for the preparation of the above polymer electrolytes. Vibrational, structural, mechanical, conductivity, thermal, and electrochemical properties have been studied using FTIR, XRD, stress-strain, AC impedance spectroscopic technique, DSC and TGA, LSV, and CV respectively to find out the optimized system. System-C possessing the highest ionic conductivity, higher tensile strength, low crystallinity, high thermal stability, and high electrochemical stability (greater than 5 V vs Li/Li+) is well suitable for lithium ion battery application.