Electrospun PVdF–PVC nanofibrous polymer electrolytes for polymer lithium-ion batteries

Nanofibrous membranes based on Poly (vinyl difluoride) (PVdF)-Poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) (8:2, w/w) were prepared by electrospinning and then they were soaked in a liquid electrolyte to form polymer electrolytes (PEs). The morphology, thermal stability, function groups and crystallinity of the electrospun membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermal analysis (TG), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively. It was found that both electrolyte uptake and ionic conductivity of the composite PEs increased with the addition of PVC. The composite PVdF–PVC PEs had a high ionic conductivity up to 2.25 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 25 °C. These results showed that nanofibrous PEs based on PVdF–PVC were of great potential application in polymer lithium-ion batteries.

► The nanofibrous polymer electrolytes based on PVdF–PVC (8:2, w/w) prepared by electrospinning have an ionic conductivity of 2.25 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 25 °C.
► The nanofibrous polymer electrolytes presented a good electrochemical stability up to 5.1 V (vs. Li/Li+).
► The nanofibrous polymer electrolytes showed a very good charge/discharge and cycling performance.