Preparation and characterization of polypropylene supported electrospun POSS-(C3H6Cl)8/PVDF gel polymer electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane has been successfully employed as organic-inorganic hybrid material in various potential applications for its good compatibility, thermal and mechanical stability. Commercial polypropylene (PP) separator supported gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) incorporating with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-chloropropyl (POSS-(C3H6Cl)8) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) was prepared by electrospinning, which had satisfying anode stability and high dielectric constant, contributing to the dissociation of lithium salts. The effects of POSS-(C3H6Cl)8 contents on the physical, mechanical, thermal and electrochemical properties of the PP supported GPEs were analyzed. The results showed that the GPE contained 10 wt% POSS-(C3H6Cl)8 presented optimal comprehensive performance, of which the porosity and electrolyte uptake were 63.0% and 271.4%, respectively. The tensile strength and elongation at break were 31.6 MPa and 39.0%, respectively. What’s more, the thermal endurable test displayed good dimensional stability, and the flame retarding test certified respectable inflaming retarding. The ionic conductivity at ambient temperature was 2.03 × 10−3 S/cm and the electrochemical stability window was 5.7 V or so, the interfacial impedance with Li electrode was 470.0 Ω. The cells assembled with the PP supported GPEs also possessed favorable cycling and rate performance, indicating that the PP supported GPEs acquired by electrospinning POSS-(C3H6Cl)8/PVDF dispersions have a promising application prospect for lithium-ion batteries.