Electrochemical Performance of Lithium Sulfur Batteries with Plasticized Polymer Electrolytes based on P(VdF-co-HFP)

The plasticized polymer electrolytes based on polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (P(VdF-co-HFP)), tetra (ethylene glycol) dimethyl ether (TEGDME), and lithium perchlorate (LiClO4) are prepared for the lithium sulfur batteries by solution casting with a doctor-blade. The polymer electrolyte with EO : Li ratio of 16 : 1 shows the maximum ionic conductivity, 6.5 x 10(-4) S/cm at room temperature. To understand the effect of the salt concentration on the electrochemical performance, the polymer electrolytes are characterized using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), infrared spectroscopy (IR), viscometer, and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The optimum concentration and mobility of the charge carriers could lead to enhance the utilization of sulfur active materials and the cyclability of the Li/S unit cell.