Impact of Polymer Blending in Gel Polymer Electrolytes with Nano-Filler Additives for Enhanced Battery Performance

This review presents a comprehensive analysis of gel polymer blend electrolytes (GPBEs) as promising materials for advanced energy storage and conversion systems, including batteries, fuel cells, dye-sensitized capacitors and solar cells. In this review, emphasis has been placed on recent strategies to enhance the performance of polymer electrolytes through polymer blending, which offers improved properties compared to conventional systems but still faces challenges such as low ionic conductivity (typically below 10 -4 S/cm at room temperature). To address these limitations, approaches such as the selection of compatible polymer matrices, incorporation of functional additives, and optimization of synthesis techniques are critically examined. This article further explores the structural, thermal, mechanical and electrochemical characteristics of polymer blend electrolytes, providing insights into their design and functionality. More attention is given to the role of nanofiller additives, including metal oxides and silica-based nanoparticles, which act as Lewis acid-base interaction centers to enhance salt dissociation and increase charge carrier density. Their high surface area promotes stronger polymer-salt interactions, reduces crystallinity and enhances segmental chain mobility, thereby improving ionic conductivity. Additionally, nanofillers contribute to better mechanical strength, thermal stability and interfacial compatibility, ensuring safer and more durable electrolyte systems. Overall, the integration of polymer blending and nanofiller incorporation is identified as a highly effective strategy to improve conductivity, electrochemical stability and long-term cycling performance, making nanocomposite GPBEs strong candidates for next-generation energy storage applications while highlighting future research directions for optimizing their performance, stability and safety.