Comparison among the performance of LiBOB, LiDFOB and LiFAP impregnated polyvinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene nanocomposite membranes by phase inversion for lithium batteries

This paper describes the physico-chemical and electrochemical properties of polyvinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene (PVdF-HFP) membranes (GPM) prepared by phase inversion technique. Nanocomposite polymer membranes (NCPM) are also prepared by the same technique using AlO(OH)n nanoparticles. The prepared GPM and NCPM are gelled with liquid electrolyte containing three different salts namely, lithium bis(oxalate)borate, lithium fluoroalkylphosphate and lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate. Prepared membranes were subjected to various physico-chemical characterizations likely, mechanical stability, ionic conductivity, morphological studies, surface area and thermal analysis. Electrochemical chemical properties of membranes are evaluated in half-cell configurations (Li/NCPM or GPM/LiFePO4) at room temperature conditions. Galvanostatic cycling profiles clearly indicates the improved performance of chelato borate based anions i.e. BOB and DFOB when compared to fluoroalkyl group (FAP). ► Electrochemical properties of LiBOB, LiDFOB and LiFAP salts were compared. ► Improved electrochemical performance of chelato borate based anions are noted. ► Addition of ceramic filler supports the enhancement of electrochemical properties.