Development of Electro-Spun Poly (Vinyl Alcohol)/Titanium Dioxide Membrane-Based Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Composite nanofiber membranes were prepared by electrospinning from poly (vinyl alcohol)/titanium dioxide blend solutions with different amounts of TiO2 nanoparticles. These membranes exhibited a high porosity of 79–91%. The results of thermogravimetric analysis revealed improved thermal stability in membranes due to presence of TiO2. Polymer electrolytes are prepared by activating the membranes with a lithium perchlorate liquid electrolyte. These membranes exhibited a high electrolyte uptake, which reached 659%. Moreover, incorporation of TiO2 into nanofiber membranes improved the ionic conductivity. Cyclic voltammetry measurement of lithium/polymer electrolyte with 20 wt% TiO2/lithium cell was performed at a scan rate of 0.1 Vs−1 between −1.00 and +1.00 V. The results revealed that Li/polymer electrolyte electrochemical behavior was markedly performed and stabilized after the initial cycles. This indicated that, following an initial stabilization period, polymer electrolyte was capable of supporting a fully reversible process; hence, the polymer electrolyte's good compatibility with the lithium electrode.