Electrospun Composite Gel Polymer Electrolytes with High Thermal Conductivity toward Wide Temperature Lithium Metal Batteries

Abstract

Herein, the thermally conductive composite polymer membranes (CPMs) with silica-coated silver nanowires (AgNWs@SiO2) and poly­(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) are first fabricated by an electrospinning technique. Various composite gel polymer electrolytes (CGPEs) are investigated with different weight percentages of AgNWs@SiO2 with respect to PVDF-HFP in the presence of liquid electrolytes. The CPMs display high thermal conductivity and thermal stability, good mechanical strength, and high electrolyte uptake. The thermal conduction property of CPMs was analyzed by a bidirectional asymmetric heat transfer model. Moreover, the CGPEs with the electrospun CPM as the matrix and AgNWs@SiO2 as fillers (es-CGPEs) possess the high ionic conductivity and excellent electrochemical performance compared to the Celgard separator system. The Li/es-CGPEs/LiFePO4 cell shows an enlarged excellent cycling life and better rate performance at 25 and 60 °C, in comparison to the one without AgNWs@SiO2 fillers. Interestingly, the Li/es-CGPEs/LiFePO4 cell in the presence of 5 wt % of AgNWs@SiO2 still delivers an excellent rate capability at 0 °C. The es-CGPE with AgNWs@SiO2 would be a promising candidate as the electrolyte material toward wide temperature lithium metal batteries.

Electrospun Composite Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Enabled with Silica‐Coated Silver Nanowires

“…The silver nanowires (AgNWs), AgNWs@SiO 2 and PVDF-HFP/AgNWs@SiO 2 CPMs were prepared according to our previous work. [20] The 0 wt % or 5 wt % of AgNWs@SiO 2 with respect to that of PVDF-HFP in acetone/DMF solution (7 : 3, w/w) and the concentration was 12 wt %. Then, the electrospinning was performed using a 10 mL of syringe by the stainless-steel needle with a 13 kV applying voltage.…”

“…In recent years, inorganic nanofillers (Al 2 O 3 , SiO 2 , and Li 6.4 La 3 Zr 2 Al 0.2 O 12 ) have widely been employed for enhancing of mechanical strength and electrochemical performance of polymer electrolyte or separator. [16][17][18][19][20] It is well-known that the silver nanowires (AgNWs) have been served for the application in the field of energy and storage devices owing to their superior high electrical and thermal conductivities, good photo-thermal properties, high aspect ratio, and one-dimensional structure. [20][21][22][23][24][25] However, it is hardly reported that the AgNWs were considered as nanofillers in polymer electrolyte or separator.…”

“…[16][17][18][19][20] It is well-known that the silver nanowires (AgNWs) have been served for the application in the field of energy and storage devices owing to their superior high electrical and thermal conductivities, good photo-thermal properties, high aspect ratio, and one-dimensional structure. [20][21][22][23][24][25] However, it is hardly reported that the AgNWs were considered as nanofillers in polymer electrolyte or separator. Recently, we designed and fabricated the gel polymer electrolyte with excellent thermal, mechanical, and electrochemical performances by an electrospinning method.…”

“…Recently, we designed and fabricated the gel polymer electrolyte with excellent thermal, mechanical, and electrochemical performances by an electrospinning method. [20] The introduction of silver nanowires with a silica-coated layer (AgNWs@SiO 2 ) is able to enhance the cycling performance of LMB.…”

Hexagonal Boron Nitride-Coated Polyimide Ion Track Etched Separator with Enhanced Thermal Conductivity and High-Temperature Stability for Lithium-Ion Batteries

“…Enhancing the thermal conductivity of the separator can promote heat dissipation and relieve thermal stress caused by temperature inhomogeneity. Very recently, Xue et al fabricated composite polymer membranes using the electrospinning technology based on silica-coated silver nanowires and poly­(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) for use in LIBs, demonstrating their enhanced thermal stability, thermal conductivity, and electrochemical properties . Ceylan et al reported an electrospinning technique to fabricate polyacrylonitrile and poly­(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposite fibers loaded with graphene nanoplatelets to improve the thermal management of LIBs .…”