Electrospun nanofiber‐coated separator membranes for lithium‐ion rechargeable batteries. Issue 4 (3rd January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Hun; Alcoutlabi, Mataz; Watson, Jill V.; Zhang, Xiangwu
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied polymer science. Volume 129:Issue 4(2013:Aug. 15)
• Page Start: 1939
• Page End: 1951
• Publication Date: 2013-01-03
• Subjects: Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1002/app.38894
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8995

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Nanofiber‐coated composite membranes were prepared by electrospinning polyvinylidene fluoride‐<italic>co</italic>‐chlorotrifluoroethylene (PVDF‐<italic>co</italic>‐CTFE) and PVDF‐<italic>co</italic>‐CTFE/polyvinylidene fluoride‐<italic>co</italic>‐hexafluoropropylene (PVDF‐<italic>co</italic>‐HFP) onto six different Celgard® microporous battery separator membranes. Application of a PVDF‐based copolymer nanofiber coating onto the surface of the battery separator membrane provides a method for improving the electrolyte absorption of the separator and the separator‐electrode adhesion. Peel tests showed that both PVDF‐<italic>co</italic>‐CTFE and PVDF‐<italic>co</italic>‐CTFE/PVDF‐<italic>co</italic>‐HFP nanofiber coatings have comparable adhesion to the membrane substrates. Electrolyte uptake capacity was investigated by soaking the nanofiber‐coated membranes in a liquid electrolyte solution. PVDF‐<italic>co</italic>‐CTFE and PVDF‐<italic>co</italic>‐CTFE/PVDF‐<italic>co</italic>‐HFP nanofiber‐coated membranes exhibited higher electrolyte uptake capacities than uncoated membranes. It was also found that PVDF‐<italic>co</italic>‐CTFE nanofiber‐coated membranes have higher electrolyte uptakes than PVDF‐<italic>co</italic>‐CTFE/PVDF‐<italic>co</italic>‐HFP nanofiber‐coated membranes due to the smaller diameters of PVDF‐<italic>co</italic>‐CTFE nanofibers and higher polarity of PVDF‐<italic>co</italic>‐CTFE. The separator–electrode adhesion properties were also investigated. Results showed PVDF‐<italic>co</italic>‐CTFE and PVDF‐<italic>co</italic>‐CTFE/PVDF‐<italic>co</italic>‐HFP nanofiber coatings improved the adhesion of all six membrane substrates to the electrode. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013</p> </abstract>