Cellulose Nanocrystals as Additives in Electrospun Biocompatible Separators for Aprotic Lithium-Ion Batteries

This work concerns the study of electrospun scaffolds as separators for aprotic lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) composed of the amorphous poly-d,l-lactide (PDLLA), in solution concentrations of 8, 10, and 12 wt % and in different ratios with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). PDLLA has been studied for the first time as a separator, taking into account its amorphous character that could facilitate electrolyte incorporation into the polymer matrix and influence ionic conductivity, together with CNCs, for reducing the hydrophobicity of the scaffolds. The embedding of the nanocrystals in the scaffolds was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The polymer combination influenced the nanofibrous morphology as evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and modulated the electrochemical behavior of the membranes that was investigated through linear sweep voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests. Among the studied categories, the P12 series displayed a nonhomogeneous electrolyte resistance and electrochemical stability, differently from P10, whose results suggested their application in LIBs with standard formulation, as confirmed by a preliminary performance test of the P10N6 formulation in a full Li-ion cell configuration.