In situ ceramic fillers of electrospun thermoplastic polyurethane/poly(vinylidene fluoride) based gel polymer electrolytes for Li-ion batteries

Gel polymer electrolyte films based on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF) with and without in situ ceramic fillers (SiO2 and TiO2) are prepared by electrospinning 9 wt% polymer solution at room temperature. The electrospun TPU–PVdF blending membrane with 3% in situ TiO2 shows a highest ionic conductivity of 4.8 × 10−3 S cm−1 with electrochemical stability up to 5.4 V versus Li+/Li at room temperature and has a high tensile strength (8.7 ± 0.3 MPa) and % elongation at break (110.3 ± 0.2). With the superior electrochemical and mechanical performance, it is very suitable for application in polymer lithium ion batteries.

► We prepare gel polymer electrolytes with in situ reaction using electrospinning technology.
► The electrochemical properties of GPEs are significantly improved.
► Our study provides very helpful information to solve the safety problem of lithium ion battery.
► The TPU/PVdF gel polymer electrolyte with in situ TiO2 prepared by us is very suitable for a wide range of applications in polymer lithium ion batteries.