Fabrication of an Electrospun Lithium-ionBattery Membrane Separator with Aqueous Polyvinyl Alcohol and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

Abstract

Li-ion batteries are ideal yet face safety concerns since it may lead to fire and explosions due to an unstable battery separator. Thus, this study aimed to fabricate an improved electrically and thermally stable battery separator by electrospinning 10%wt. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and 1%wt. Zincoxide (ZnO) nanoparticles solution. The surface morphology of the battery separators was assessed through obtaining scanning electron microscopy images that showed the presence of the nanoparticles and that the battery separator with ZnO had closer fibre and less grey areas. It was also determined through thermo gravimetric analysis that after exposure to temperatures from 30°C-600°C, the PVA battery separator can withstand up to 216.85°C before it degrades with 95.12%wt. Left and 13.08%wt. Residue; while the battery separator with ZnO nanoparticles can withstand up to 225.48°C with 97.31%wt. Left and 15.41%wt. Residue. The battery separators were also good insulators since it had zero conductivity and ∞Ω resistance based from the electrical property testing obtained using the multitester and galvanometer. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA Post Hoc test by comparing the battery separators with and without ZnO to the commercial polypropylene (PP) battery separator. Analysis showed that the fabricated battery separators had the same electrical properties and weight loss but the battery separator with PVA and ZnO was the most thermally stable. This study concluded that PVA and ZnO nanoparticles were effective in making battery separators withstand a higher temperature while maintaining its electrical properties, thus ensuring the safety and reliability of batteries.