Influence of barium titanate nanofiller on PEO/PVdF-HFP blend-based polymer electrolyte membrane for Li-battery applications

Organic-inorganic hybrid membranes based on poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) 6.25 wt%/poly(vinylidene fluoride hexa fluoro propylene) [P(VdF-HFP)] 18.75 wt% were prepared by using various concentration of nanosized barium titanate (BaTiO3) filler. Structural characterizations were made by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, which indicate the inclusion of BaTiO3 in to the polymer matrix. Addition of filler creates an effective route of polymer-filler interface and promotes the ionic conductivity of the membranes. From the ionic conductivity results, 6 wt% of BaTiO3-incorporated composite polymer electrolyte (CPE) showed the highest ionic conductivity (6 x 10(-3) Scm(-1) at room temperature). It is found that the filler content above 6 wt% rendered the membranes less conducting. Morphological images reveal that the ceramic filler was embedded over the membrane. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) of the CPE sample with 6 wt% of the BaTiO3 shows high thermal stability. Electrochemical performance of the composite polymer electrolyte was studied in LiFePO4/CPE/Li coin cell. Charge-discharge cycle has been performed for the film exhibiting higher conductivity. These properties of the nanocomposite electrolyte are suitable for Li-batteries.