Development of electrospun PVdF polymer membrane as separator for supercapacitor applications

ABSTRACT

Electrospun Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) membrane is fabricated as a separator for supercapacitor applications. Different weight percentages (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 wt%) of PVdF were suspended in 50:50 wt% of THF and DMAc solvents, respectively, and electrospinning technique was used to synthesize the polymer separator membranes. The structural morphology was investigated using SEM analysis and thermal stability of the synthesized membranes were determined using TGA and DSC analysis to identify the optimum wt% of PVdF membrane with high porosity, high electrolytic uptake, and lower crystallinity, respectively. It was found that PVdF membrane with 20 wt% exhibited superior properties of lower fiber diameter of about 400 ± 8 nm, high electrolytic uptake of 200 ± 2%, and high porosity of 86.83 ± 2% compared to other synthesized membranes. Further, 20 wt% PVdF membrane was found to be thermally stable up to a temperature of about 450°C. The crystalline nature of the separator membranes were determined using the X-ray diffraction technique. Electrochemical studies (Liner sweep voltammetry) studies revealed that the synthesized PVdF membrane is stable up to 2.5 V. Thus, it was found that PVdF polymer membrane with 20 wt% exhibited superior structural and thermal properties compared to other membranes, making it as a reliable separator membrane for supercapacitors.

KEYWORDS:

• Supercapacitor
• separator
• electrospinning
• PVdF
• weight percentage

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the Electrospinning equipment facility provided by the Department of Chemistry, CAMERA Lab, Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering and Technology, Puducherry and the characterization facility provided by IIT Madras, Chennai. The financial support provided by UGC (NFST Scheme) (Ref. No. 201819-NFST-PUD-00226) is gratefully acknowledged.

Major highlights

1. Different weight percentages (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 wt%) of PVdF membrane were synthesized and prepared by electrospinning technique.

2. The synthesized membrane was found to be thermally stable up to 450°C with good structural properties.

3. PVdF membrane with 20 wt% was found to be a good candidate with a least average fiber diameter of about 400±8 nm for application as separator membrane in supercapacitors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University Grants Commission [201819-NFST-PUD-00226].

Notes on contributors

R. Arthi

R. Arthi is a Ph.D. Research Scholar in Department of Chemical Engineering, Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Kalavakkam, Chennai. She received her M.Tech. degree in Nanoscience & Technology from Pondicherry University, Puducherry. She currently works on development of electrospun separator membrane for supercapacitor applications. Her research interest includes electrospun membranes, nanoparticle doped separators and energy storage devices.

V. Jaikumar

V. Jaikumar is a Associate Professor (Senior Grade II) in Department of Chemical Engineering, Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Kalavakkam, Chennai. He received his Ph.D. from Anna University, Chennai. His areas of research include environmental engineering, polymers, nanotechnology and waste management. He has 20 years of experience in academics and research and has published several papers in various International Journal and Conferences.

P. Muralidharan

P. Muralidharan is a Associate Professor and Dean (R&D) in Department of Chemistry, Centre for Advanced Materials Engineering Research and Applications (CAMERA), Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering & Technology, Puducherry. He received his Ph.D. from Pondicherry University, Puducherry. He served as Postdoctoral fellow at National Central University, Taiwan and Research Associate Professor at Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology, South Korea. He has more than 15 years of research and teaching experience and several Government funded research projects to his credit. His areas of expertise include Fuel cells, Li-ion batteries, Supercapacitors, Hydrothermal synthesis of electrode material and Nanoparticles. He has published/presented several research papers in various International Journals and Conferences.