Polyethylene oxide electrolyte added by silane-functionalized TiO2 filler for lithium battery

• TiO2 functionalized with organic-silane is used as additive in PEO-based electrolyte.
• The ST–TiO2 ceramic improves the electrochemical properties of the PEO membrane.
• The ST–TiO2-added PEO membrane is selected as the electrolyte in lithium cell.
• The LiFePO4 electrode is used as the cathode in the polymer cell.
• The cell has a working voltage of 3.5 V and delivers a stable capacity of 120 mAh g− 1.

Titanium dioxide ceramic functionalized with silane organic group is used here to improve polyethylene oxide electrolyte properties. The results demonstrate the effective role of the silane coating in enhancing the polymer–ceramic interactions and, consequently, the polymer electrolyte properties for application in lithium polymer battery. The ceramic added electrolyte shows conductivity higher than 10− 4 S cm− 1 above 65 °C and a transference number approaching 0.5. The electrolyte membrane is then selected as the polymer separator in a lithium cell using LiFePO4 electrode, characterized by enhanced behavior in terms of capacity, cycling stability and efficiency.