Titanium dioxide / poly(vinylidene fluoride) hybrid polymer composite nanofibers as potential separator for lithium ion battery

Abstract

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) / Titanium dioxide (PVdF/TiO₂) polymer composite nanofibers were fabricated by electrospinning. PVdF/TiO₂ composite nanofibers polymer electrolytes were prepared by soaking the composite nanofibers in 1 M LiPF₆ (lithium hexaflurophosphate) in ethylene carbonate : diethelyne carbonate (EC:DEC) in 1:1 (v/v) ratio. PVdF/TiO₂ composite nanofibers exhibited high electrolyte uptake, high porosity and high ionic conductivity compared to that of pure PVdF. The higher electrochemical stability of PVdF/TiO₂ composite nanofibers polymer electrolyte as obtained from its linear sweep voltammetry compared to that of pure PVdF nanofibers polymer electrolyte.  PVdF/TiO₂ composite nanofibers polymer electrolyte was found to be a good separator in lithium-ion battery applications.