Novel poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)/poly(ethylene oxide) blends for battery separators in lithium-ion applications

Polymer blends based on poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)/poly(ethylene oxide), P(VDF-TrFE)/PEO for Li-ion battery separators applications have been prepared through solvent casting technique. The microstructure, hidrophilicity and electrolyte uptake strongly depend on PEO content within the blend. The best value of ionic conductivity at room temperature was 0.25 mS.cm-1 for the 60/40 membrane. The membranes are electrochemically stable.This work is funded by FEDER funds through the "Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade – COMPETE" and by national funds by FCT- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, project references Project PTDC/CTM/69316/2006, NANO/NMed-SD/0156/2007 and Pest-C/QUI/UIO686/2011 and grant SFRH/BD/68499/2010 (C.M.C) and SFRH/BD/66930/2009 (J.N.P.). CIBER-BBN is an initiative funded by the VI National R&D&i Plan 2008-2011, Iniciativa Ingenio 2010, Consolider Program, CIBER Actions and financed by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III with assistance from the European Regional Development Fund