SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PEO/PVDF POLYMER BLEND ELECTROLYTES DOPED WITH LIFEPO4 NANOFILLER AND EPOXIDIZED NATURAL RUBBER PLASTICIZER

Abstract

 This research focuses on the preparation and characterization of polymer blend electrolytes based on polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), incorporating LiFePO₄ as a nanofiller and epoxidized natural rubber as a plasticizer. The incorporation of LiFePO₄ aims to enhance the electrochemical performance of the polymer blend by improving ionic conductivity and mechanical stability. The polymer blends were prepared using a solution-casting technique, where varying concentrations of LiFePO₄ were introduced into the PEO/PVDF matrix. The XRD reveals the degree of crystallinity and the effect of LiFePO₄ on the polymer structure. The undoped sample shows distinct crystalline peaks corresponding to the PEO and PVDF phases. A reduction in intensity is observed as the doping level increases, which indicates a reduction in crystallinity due to the disruption caused by the LiFePO₄ particles. For the TGA/DTA graph, the undoped polymer blend (PEO75/PVDF25) shows a characteristic decomposition at (400–600 °C), (5% of LiFePO₄) curve, which shows early decomposition than other doped samples_. The increased LiFePO₄ content acts as a thermal barrier at higher concentrations, delaying the degradation process_. The results indicate that the inclusion of LiFePO₄ significantly influences the thermal properties of the PEO/PVDF blend electrolytes, making them promising candidates for use in high-performance lithium-ion batteries.