Electrochemical analyses of ZrO 2 dispersoid incorporated poly (styrene‐methyl methacrylate) blend gel electrolytes for lithium‐ion battery

Zirconium oxide (ZrO 2 ) filler is successfully synthesized with spherical morphology (particle size 170 nm) by co‐precipitation technique earlier. The as‐prepared ZrO 2 ‐(bare, 3, 6, 9, and 12 wt%) is spread into the augmented poly(styrene‐co‐ methyl methacrylate) P(S‐MMA)‐ poly vinylidene fluoride (PVdF) (25:75 of 27 wt%)‐LiClO 4 (8 wt%)‐ ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate (EC + PC) (1: 1 of 65 wt%) system. The solution casting technique is employed throughout the process. The structural, morphology, thermal and ionic conducting behavior of sample are examined. The highest conductivity is 1.2 × 10 −2 S cm −1 at 303 K for P(S‐MMA)‐PVdF (25:75 of 27 wt%) LiClO 4 (8 wt%)‐ EC + PC (65 wt%) +6 wt% ZrO 2 system. The linear sweep voltammetry and the cyclic voltammetry tests are performed and the results are discussed. The optimized electrolyte is used to make the LiFePO 4 /CGPE/Li confined 2032 coin cell couple. It holds the discharge capacity of 144 mAh g −1 at rate of 0.1 C with 88% coulombic efficiency.