Electrospun poly(acrylonitrile) and poly(ethylene glycol) composite nanofibers incorporated with Gd2O3 NPs for energy storage applications

Abstract

In this work, a composite polymer electrolyte based on poly (ethylene glycol)/poly(acrylonitrile) (PEG/PAN) has been fabricated using the electrospinning technique, with varying weight ratios of gadolinium oxides (Gd₂O₃). Employing polymeric electrolytes having comparatively high mechanical strength, improved safety, and exceptional flexibility as alternatives to traditional electrolytic fluid is an efficient technique for reducing lithium (Li) dendrite development in Li-based batteries. Nevertheless, inadequate ionic conductivity, insufficient thermal resistance, and an extremely tiny electrochemical window continue to limit their uses. We present Gd₂O₃ nanofibers enabled PAN/PEG-based composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) with improved ionic conductivity and large electrochemical windows. The investigation found that adding 15 Wt.% Gd₂O₃ nanofiber to PAN/PEG results in a flexible electrolyte membrane with increased performance, including high ionic conductivity (1.026 × 10^–4 S cm⁻¹) at RT, Li⁺ transfer number is 0.83, a broad electrochemical window (5.5 V), and good thermal shrinkage 150 °C, electrolyte uptake upto (~ 246%), porosity upto (~ 97%), and activation energy (0.23). This study demonstrates that adding Gd₂O₃nanofibers could enhance the electrochemical efficiency of PAN/PEG based This study demonstrates adding Gd₂O₃nanofibers could enhance the electrochemical efficiency of PAN/PEG-based composite polymer electrolytes for energy storage applications.