Fabrication and characterization of SiO2/PVDF composite nanofiber‐coated PP nonwoven separators for lithium‐ion batteries. Issue 23 (5th October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yanilmaz, Meltem; Chen, Chen; Zhang, Xiangwu
• Is Part Of: Journal of polymer science. Volume 51:Issue 23(2013:Dec. 01)
• Page Start: 1719
• Page End: 1726
• Publication Date: 2013-10-05
• Subjects: 547
• DOI: 10.1002/polb.23387
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-6266

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <p>SiO<sub>2</sub>/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composite nanofiber‐coated polypropylene (PP) nonwoven membranes were prepared by electrospinning of SiO<sub>2</sub>/PVDF dispersions onto both sides of PP nonwovens. The goal of this study was to combine the good mechanical strength of PP nonwoven with the excellent electrochemical properties of SiO<sub>2</sub>/PVDF composite nanofibers to obtain a new high‐performance separator. It was found that the addition of SiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles played an important role in improving the overall performance of these nanofiber‐coated nonwoven membranes. Among the membranes with various SiO<sub>2</sub> contents, 15% SiO<sub>2</sub>/PVDF composite nanofiber‐coated PP nonwoven membranes provided the highest ionic conductivity of 2.6 × 10<sup>−3</sup> S cm<sup>−1</sup> after being immersed in a liquid electrolyte, 1 mol L<sup>−1</sup> lithium hexafluorophosphate in ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate and diethyl carbonate. Compared with pure PVDF nanofiber‐coated PP nonwoven membranes, SiO<sub>2</sub>/PVDF composite fiber‐coated PP nonwoven membranes had greater liquid electrolyte uptake, higher electrochemical oxidation limit, and lower interfacial resistance with lithium. SiO<sub>2</sub>/PVDF composite fiber‐coated PP nonwoven membrane separators were assembled into lithium/lithium iron phosphate cells and demonstrated high cell capacities and good cycling performance at room temperature. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. <bold>2013</bold>, <italic>51</italic>, 1719–1726</p> </abstract>