Advancing lithium-ion battery technology with electrospun PVDF-HFP/SiO2 nanocomposite electrolyte membrane and CuCo2O4 high-performance anode material

Electrospinning technology represents a rapid, cost-effective, and secure method for fabricating separators designed for lithium-ion batteries. Within this study, we employed electrospinning technology to craft a PVDF-HFP-SiO2 nanofiber membrane. Throughout various characterizations, this membrane exhibited commendable mechanical attributes, with a maximum tensile stress reaching approximately 11.5 MPa and a maximum tensile strain of 156.3 %. Additionally, it demonstrated exceptional thermal stability, as evidenced by a degradation temperature reaching 450 °C. Simultaneously, we developed a novel flower-like CuCo2O4 anode material directly grown on a 3D nickel foam substrate, eliminating the need for a binder. Electrochemical assessments conducted on cells assembled with nanofiber membrane and CuCo2O4 anode revealed heightened ionic conductivity, with an interfacial resistance of 40 Ω·cm2, alongside exceptional capacity and cycling performance which maintained a discharge capacity of 613 mA h g−1 after 50 cycles, with a Coulombic efficiency consistently above ∼98 %. The enhanced electrochemical performance can be attributed to several factors, including the distinctive flower-shaped electrode, which provides a more extensive network of ion and electron transport channels. Additionally, the porous nanofiber separator, complemented by the presence of doped ceramic particles, plays a vital role in augmenting performance.