Enhancing the ion transportation on PVDF‐HFP and PMMA based solid polymer electrolyte by fusing Co3O4 and NiO NPs for energy storage applications

Abstract Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are desirable for next‐generation lithium‐ion batteries due to their flexibility, processability, and increased safety. However, limited ionic conductivity in solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) restricts lithium‐ion transport, hindering battery performance. Composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) emerge as a potential solution by addressing this limitation. A novel CPE with enhanced ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability is developed in this work to overcome this difficulty. The novel electrolytes are synthesized by incorporation of prepared nickel oxide (NiO) and cobalt oxide (Co 3 O 4 ) nanofillers at varying weight percentages (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) into a PVDF‐HFP/PMMA/LiClO 4 /EC polymer blend using a solution casting technique. X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirm the effective incorporation of the fillers into the blend by assessing the structure of the polymer electrolyte. The optimal composition, containing 15 wt% each of NiO and Co 3 O 4 , exhibited a high ionic conductivity of 10 −3 S/cm and an electrochemical stability window of 4.5 V at room temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed a porous structure with a smooth surface in the Li‐ion conducting blend, facilitating faster ion movement. The enhanced Li‐ion transportation, improved mechanical and thermal properties, and fire‐retardant characteristics make these CPEs promising candidates for energy storage devices. Highlights A novel PVDF‐HFP based polymer electrolyte is prepared for LIB application. Amalgamation of NiO and Co 3 O 4 nanofillers enhanced electrochemical performance. The PEs conductivity (⁓10 −3 S/cm) is sufficient for implementation in LIBs. Synthesized PEs can be a potential alternative for the conventional PEs.