Title : Nanocomposite gel polymer electrolytes: Benefic yet malefic
Abstract:
The present work establishes the state-of-the-art trends in respect of nanocomposite gel polymer electrolytes (NGCPEs) which are revolutionizing the modern approach towards energy storage and electrochemical applications. A series of systems based on polymer hosts such as poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-co-HFP), poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polyvinylchloride (PVC) have been developed and analyzed through various research attempts so far. The work has inclined towards poly(vinyl alcohol) PVA as host polymer. Apart from certain nanofiller incorporated composite polymer electrolytes being used in conjunction with well-suited electrodes owing to their practical significance in advancing various applications. The emerging nanoscale techniques have by now led the market to appreciate the application potential of nanostructured organic and inorganic materials so as to realize enhanced efficiencies of electrochemical batteries thereby proving them promising energy storage devices. This work mainly encompasses the advantages and disadvantages associated with NCGPEs. The gel polymer electrolytes have several advantages over their solid and liquid counter parts. This includes no internal shorting, leakage of electrolytes, high electrical conductivity, high power density, excellent stability, high power density, fast charge and discharge speed, wide operating temperature range, high efficiency, long cycle life and non-combustible reaction products at the electrode surface existing in the liquid electrolytes making them substantial competitors in the field of flexible energy storage and electrochemical devices. But most of the solid and liquid electrolytes are toxic, corrosive, with low reliability, requiring high-cost packaging to fabricate makes them less in demand. Despite having high ionic conductivity, the decomposition voltage severely limits the improvement of the energy density/power density of the device. In addition, a liquid electrolyte can easily leak, which can bring particular harm to the equipment and the user as well. This work gives an overall insight of gel electrolytes based on different polymers soaked with nanofillers and the factors influencing their performance suggesting their benefic and malefic effects and the criteria of an ideal nanocomposite gel polymer electrolyte so as to make it a strong contender for energy storage and electrochemical device applications.
