Fabrication of BaTiO3 ceramic filler incorporated PVC-PEMA based blend nanocomposite gel polymer electrolytes for Li ion battery applications

In spite of promising electrochemical characteristics of the Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) it's applicability in Li ion cells are limited due to their low mechanical strength and poor interfacial stability. Herein, we propose composite polymer electrolyte (CPE) fabricated by dispersing hydrothermally derived BaTiO3 (BT) nanoparticle in PVC (5)-PEMA (25)-EC/DMC (67)-LiClO4 (8). We show that the proposed CPE prepared by solution casting technique exhibits enhanced mechanical strength and interfacial stability. The effects of concentration (2.5-10 wt%) of nano BT on GPEs were investigated by various spectroscopic and electro-analytic techniques. Remarkably, 2.5 wt% nano BT incorporated CPE have a higher ionic conductivity and thermal stability compared to ceramic free GPE. Besides, it also has better interfacial stability and display high Li transference number with extended electrochemical stability window. The outstanding electrochemical performance of CPE is due to presence of nano BT that facilitates charge transport behavior and modifies the crystallinity leading to high Li ion transport in CPE. GPE with 2.5 wt% nano BT showed the best electrochemical performance and may be a promising reliable CPE cum separator for Li ion battery (LiBs) applications.