Boosting Safety and Performance in Polymer Electrolytes

In the world of polymer electrolytes, finding a good mix of fire safety and conductivity is a big deal. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is a common material used in these electrolytes, but it has a couple of issues. It burns easily and doesn't conduct electricity very well. This makes it tricky to use in applications where safety and performance are crucial. To tackle this problem, scientists created a new nanohybrid material. This material combines silica and expandable graphite, made through a process called hydrothermal synthesis. The goal was to make a flame-resistant and conductive material that could be used in PVA-based electrolytes. The researchers tested different amounts of this new nanohybrid in PVA composite films. They found that adding just 15 parts per hundred of resin (phr) of the nanohybrid significantly improved the fire resistance of the films. In fact, the films couldn't be ignited during testing, showing just how effective the nanohybrid is at preventing fires.But that's not all. The nanohybrid also boosted the electrical conductivity of the films. With 15 phr of the nanohybrid, the conductivity increased from 11. 09 S/m to 150. 54 S/m. This is a huge improvement and makes the films much more useful in applications that require good electrical conductivity. The researchers also found that the nanohybrid and the PVA composite films were highly compatible. This means that the nanohybrid integrates well with the PVA, creating a strong and flexible material. This is important for applications where the material needs to bend or flex without breaking. The study provides a new way to think about using expandable graphite flame retardants in solid polymer electrolytes. This could lead to new developments in scientific research and industry, making polymer electrolytes safer and more effective.