The network gel polymer electrolyte based on poly(acrylate-co-imide) and its transport properties in lithium ion batteries

Poly (acrylate-co-imide)-based gel polymer electrolytes are synthesized by in situ free radical polymerization. Infrared spectroscopy confirms the complete polymerization of gel polymer electrolytes. The ionic conductivity of gel polymer electrolytes are measured as a function of different repeating EO units of polyacrylates. An optimal ionic conductivity of the poly (PEGMEMA₁₁₀₀-BMI) gel polymer electrolyte is determined to be 4.8 × 10^–3 S/cm at 25 °C. The lithium transference number is found to be 0.29. The cyclic voltammogram shows that the wide electrochemical stability window of the gel polymer electrolyte varies from −0.5 to 4.20 V (vs. Li/Li⁺). Furthermore, we found the transport properties of novel gel polymer electrolytes are dependent on the EO design and are also related to the rate capability and the cycling ability of lithium polymer batteries. The relationship between polymer electrolyte design, lithium transport properties and battery performance are investigated in this research.     

Single-ionic gel polymer electrolyte based on polyvinylidene fluoride and fluorine-containing ionomer

The novel single-ionic conductive gel polymer electrolyte was prepared from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), propylene glycol carbonate (PC) and a new fluorine-containing ionomer. Cation-carbonyl interaction behavior, morphology and ionic conductive properties of this gel polymer electrolyte were studied by infrared spectra analysis (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and complex impedance analysis. The results showed that the fluorine-containing ionomer was miscible with both PVDF and PC, and that the carbonyl groups in the ionomer and PC could bond competitively with the cation. Both the content of fluorine-containing ionomer and the content of PC had a great effect on morphology and ionic conductive properties of the samples. For this new gel polymer electrolyte, an ionic conductivity of above 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature could be reached, and this electrolyte system was a single-ionic kind gel polymer electrolyte with the transport number of the sodium ion exceed 0.99 (t₊>0.99).     

Highly porous LiMnPO4 in combination with an ionic liquid-based polymer gel electrolyte for lithium batteries

A porous well defined LiMnPO₄ cathode material is synthesized by a sol-gel method. The electrochemical performance of the cathode material is evaluated in a cell with an ionic liquid-based polymer electrolyte (0.5 M LITFSI in EMImTFSI) and a lithium metal electrode. The results are compared to a cell with a traditional organic carbonate-based electrolyte (1 M LiPF₆ in EC/DMC). The cell with the ionic liquid-based polymer electrolyte presents an enhanced electrochemical intercalation performance of lithium ions, a high electrochemical stability window of 5 V, and an excellent cycling ability as compared with the organic based counterpart. Furthermore, the ionic liquid-based polymer gel electrolyte effectively prevents the dissolution of manganese — otherwise a common problem.     

Compositional effect of PVdF-PEMA blend gel polymer electrolytes for lithium polymer batteries

Owing to their improved mechanical properties and good polymer miscibility, the blend gel polymer electrolytes of poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF)-poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA) have been prepared using solvent casting technique and characterized for their electrochemical performances. The electrolyte shows a maximum ionic conductivity of 1.5 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 301 K for the 90:10 blend ratio of PVdF:PEMA system with good transport property. The ionic conductivity is enhanced, in accompany with improved microstructural homogeneity, at low PEMA contents, while the decreased conductivity at high contents has been attributed to increasing crystalline PEMA domains. With the optimum PVdF:PEMA ratio, the complex system was found to facile reasonable ionic transference number and exhibit superior interfacial stability with Li electrode.     

Effects of the porous structure on conductivity of nanocomposite polymer electrolyte for lithium ion batteries

A kind of porous nanocomposite polymer membranes (NCPMs) based on poly(vinylidene difluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (P(VdF-HFP)) incorporated with different amounts of TiO₂ nanoparticles from in situ hydrolysis of Ti(OC₄H₉)₄ was prepared by a non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) technology. The SEM micrographs reveal that a porous structure exists in the NCPMs, which changes with the incorporated amount of TiO₂. The NCPMs incorporated with 9.0 wt.% of mass fraction of TiO₂ possess the highest porosity, 67.3%, and appear as flexile fracture with an elongation ratio, 74.4%. At this content, the ionic conductivity of the NCPE is up to 0.94 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature and the activation energy for ions transport reaches the lowest, 18.71 kJ mol⁻¹. It is of great potential application in lithium ion batteries.     

A novel gel polymer electrolyte based on poly ionic liquid 1-ethyl 3-(2-methacryloyloxy ethyl) imidazolium iodide

Poly ionic liquid 1-ethyl 3-(2-methacryloyloxy ethyl) imidazolium iodide (PEMEImI) as a single-ion conductor was designed and synthesized. When appropriate amount of suitable plasticizers, I₂ and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) were incorporated into it, the complex formed gel polymer electrolyte. Chemical structure, thermal behavior and ionic conductive properties of the gel polymer electrolyte were investigated by Raman spectra, UV-Vis spectra, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and complex impedance analysis, respectively. For the new gel polymer electrolyte, the ionic conductivity of about 1 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature was achieved.     

A novel PEO-based composite solid-state polymer electrolyte with methyl group-functionalized SBA-15 filler for rechargeable lithium batteries

Functionalized molecular sieve SBA-15 with trimethylchlorosilane was used as an inorganic filler in a poly(ethyleneoxide) (PEO) polymer matrix to synthesize a composite solid-state polymer electrolyte (CSPE) using LiClO₄ as the doping salts, which is designated to be used for rechargeable lithium batteries. The methyl group-functionalized SBA-15 (^fSBA-15) powder possesses more hydrophobic characters than SBA-15, which improves the miscibility between the ^fSBA-15 filler and the PEO matrix. The interaction between the ^fSBA-15 and PEO polymer matrix was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. Linear sweep voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were employed to study the electrochemical stability windows, ionic conductivity, and interfacial stability of the CSPE. The temperature dependence of the change of the PEO polymer matrix in the CSPE from crystallization to amorphous phase was surveyed, for the first time, at different temperature by Fourier transform infrared emission spectroscopy. It has demonstrated that the addition of the ^fSBA-15 filler has improved significantly the electrochemical compatibility of the CSPE with a lithium metal electrode and enhanced effectively the ion conductivity of the CSPE. Dedicated to Professor Oleg Petrii on the occasion of his 70th birthday on August 24th, 2007.     

Structure and ion transport in an ethylene carbonate-modified biodegradable gel polymer electrolyte

The influence of ethylene carbonate (EC) addition on 85poly(ε-caprolactone):15Lithium thiocyanate (85PCL:15LiSCN) polymer electrolyte is investigated using X-ray diffraction, impedance spectroscopy, Wagner's polarization and electrochemical measurements. The results reveal that the amorphicity of the 85PCL:15LiSCN system increases with increase of EC content up to an optimal level of 40 wt.%. This is reflected in the electrical properties of the gel polymer electrolytes, i.e., the 40 wt.% EC-incorporated gel polymer electrolyte exhibits both high amorphicity and high electrical conductivity as compared to the other samples. The EC concentration dependences of dielectric constant and electrical conductivity show a similar trend, indicating that these properties are closely related to each other. The total ionic transference numbers of EC-incorporated gel polymer electrolytes are in the range 0.989–0.993, demonstrating that they are almost completely ionic conductors. The electrochemical stability window of the 40 wt.% EC-incorporated gel polymer electrolyte is ∼4.1 V along with the electrical conductivity of 2.2 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹, which is significantly improved as compared to the 85PCL:15LiSCN system (3.0 V and 1.04 × 10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹). Consequently, the addition of EC in the 85PCL:15LiSCN polymer electrolyte leads to a promising improvement in its various properties.     

Recent progress of composite solid polymer electrolytes for all-solid-state lithium metal batteries

In comparison with lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with liquid electrolytes, all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) have been considered as promising systems for future energy storage due to their safety and high energy density. As the pivotal component used in ASSLBs, composite solid polymer electrolytes (CSPEs), derived from the incorporation of inorganic fillers into solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs), exhibit higher ionic conductivity, better mechanical strength, and superior thermal/electrochemical stability compared to the single-component SPEs, which can significantly promote the electrochemical performance of ASSLBs. Herein, the recent advances of CSPEs applied in ASSLBs are presented. The effects of the category, morphology and concentration of inorganic fillers on the ionic conductivity, mechanical strength, electrochemical window, interfacial stability and possible Li⁺ transfer mechanism of CSPEs will be systematically discussed. Finally, the challenges and perspectives are proposed for the future development of high-performance CSPEs and ASSLBs.     

锂离子电池凝胶聚合物电解质研究进展

使用聚合物电解质可以避免传统液态锂离子电池的漏液问题,提高电池的安全性能和能量密度,并可实现电池的薄型化、轻便化和形状可变等优点.目前,聚合物电解质的研究集中在凝胶型的复合和多孔聚合物电解质两大类.本文对各类凝胶聚合物电解质的特点、功能及研究情况逐一进行了介绍,对凝胶聚合物电解质的发展趋势进行了展望.     

Effect of MgO nanoparticles on ionic conductivity and electrochemical properties of nanocomposite polymer electrolyte

This paper analyzes the comparison between the performances and morphologies of the PMMA gel and composite electrolyte membrane with nanosized MgO particles. These polymer electrolytes were studied in detailed using XRD, DSC, SEM and AC impedance analysis. The conductivity enhancement has been attributed to the addition of ceramic filler that yields a significant increase of surface to volume ratio related to the decrease in glass transition temperature values in the composite polymer electrolyte. Good interfacial stability at the electrode/electrolyte interface resulted on account of the improved ion dissociation by ceramic filler and a rise in the room temperature conductivity (8.14 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹) due to the iono-covalent or Lewis acid–base bonds to the ions and ether oxygen base groups was also observed. Further enhancement of conductivity has been observed on MgO surface, as Lewis-acidic sites interact with both PMMA and ClO₄⁻ ions. The percentage of swelling was found to increase with increasing soaking periods upto 12 h. Beyond that soaking period, it was found that there was a negligible increase in the % of swelling.     

A novel ternary polymer electrolyte for LMP batteries based on thermal cross-linked poly(urethane acrylate) in presence of a lithium salt and an ionic liquid

A new ternary polymer electrolyte based on thermally cross-linked poly(urethane acrylate) (PUA), lithium bis(trifluoromethansulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) and the ionic liquid N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium TFSI (PYR₁₄TFSI) was developed and tested for application in LMP batteries. The polymer electrolyte was a transparent yellow self-standing material with quite good mechanical properties, i.e., comparable to that of a flexible rubber. The room temperature ionic conductivity of the dry polymer electrolyte was found to be as high as 0.1 mS cm⁻¹ for the compound containing 40 wt% of ionic liquid (PYR₁₄TFSI) and a O/Li ratio of 15/1 (Li⁺ from LiTFSI). The thermal analysis of the new cross-linked electrolyte showed that it was homogeneous, amorphous and stable over a wide temperature range extending from −40 °C to 100 °C. The homogeneity of the polymer electrolyte was also confirmed by SEM analysis.     

Poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene)-based membranes for lithium batteries

Poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP) copolymer membranes were prepared by a phase inversion technique with poly(ethylene glycol) as an additive and tetrahydrofuran or acetone or dimethylformamide as solvent. The morphology, ionic conductivity and uptake of electrolyte solution by the polymer membranes were studied. The amount of intake of electrolyte solution by the polymer membranes increases with the increase of PEG content. The morphology and ionic conductivity of the polymer membranes (PM) are correlated with the physical properties of the solvents used in the phase inversion process. The cycling behavior of the membrane was examined with Li/LiCoO₂ cells.     

Fabrication and evaluation of a polymer Li-ion battery with microporous gel electrolyte

This paper introduces an easy method for the fabrication of polymer Li-ion batteries with microporous gel electrolyte (MGE). The MGE is a multiphase electrolyte, which is composed of liquid electrolyte, gel electrolyte, and polymer matrix. The MGE not only has high ionic conductivity and good adhesion to the electrodes at low temperatures, but also retains good mechanical strength at elevated temperatures. Therefore, the MGE batteries are able to operate over a wide temperature range. During battery fabrication, the MGE is formed in situ by introducing liquid electrolyte into a swellable microporous polymer membrane and then heating or cycling the battery. In this work, the chemical compatibility of MGE with metal lithium during 60 °C storage and with LiMn₂O₄ cathode during cycling was studied. In addition, graphite/MGE/LiMn₂O₄ Li-ion batteries were made and evaluated.     

丙烯腈-甲基丙烯酸酯网状凝胶聚合物电解质研究

用酯化方法合成了甲基丙烯酸缩乙二醇二酯,获得了纯净样品,对合成的网状凝胶型聚合物电解质的合成条件进行了系统研究,获得了丙烯腈-甲基丙烯酸缩乙二醇二酯-增塑剂?锂盐网状凝胶电解质。通过红外光谱、核磁、DSC、TG等对丙烯腈-甲基丙烯酸缩乙二醇二酯的结构性能进行了研究。DSC测试结果表明合成的网状聚合物是非晶的,软化点温度为90℃左右,随丙烯腈与甲基丙烯酸缩乙二醇二酯的比例不同而不同。另外TG测试本电解质材料在300℃左右才分解,是理想的高温锂聚合物电池电解质材料。网状凝胶电解质在EC含量达到66%时,室温电导率可达到2.5×103S/cm。     

Ionic liquids to the rescue? Overcoming the ionic conductivity limitations of polymer electrolytes

Polymer electrolytes – solid polymeric membranes with dissolved salts – are being intensively studied for use in all-solid-state lithium-metal-polymer (LMP) batteries to power consumer electronic devices. The low ionic conductivity at room temperature of existing polymer electrolytes, however, has seriously hindered the development of such batteries for many applications. The incorporation of salts molten at room temperature (room temperature ionic liquids or RTILs) into polymer electrolytes may be the necessary solution to overcoming the inherent ionic conductivity limitations of ‘dry’ polymer electrolytes.     

Nano lithium aluminate filler incorporating gel lithium triflate polymer composite: Preparation,characterization and application as an electrolyte in lithium ion batteries

Gel polymer composites electrolytes containing nano LiAlO₂ as filler were prepared using a solution cast technique and characterized using different techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (TG, DSC), Fourier transform infra – red spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). X-ray diffraction analysis showed the effect of lithium tri fluoro methane sulphonate (LiCF₃SO₃), poly vinyl acetate (PVAc) and nano lithium aluminate (LiAlO₂) on the crystalline structure of the poly vinylidene fluoride –co– hexa fluoro propylene (PVDF-co-HFP) matrix containing ethylene carbonate (EC) and diethyl carbonate (DEC) as plasticizers. FT-IR analysis confirmed both the good dissolution of the LiCF₃SO₃ salt and the good interaction of the nano LiAlO₂ filler with the polymer matrix. TG analysis showed the good thermal stability of the LiAlO₂ samples compared to the free one. Also, addition of nano LiAlO₂ filler enhanced the conductivity value of the polymer composites electrolytes. The sample containing 2 wt% of LiAlO₂ showed the highest conductivity value, 4.98 × 10⁻³ Ω ⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at room temperature, with good thermal stability behavior (T_d = 362 °C). This good conductive and thermally stable polymer nano composite electrolyte was evaluated as a promising membrane for lithium ion batteries application.     

A composite microporous gel polymer electrolyte prepared by ultra-violet cross-linking

A new type of composite microporous gel polymer electrolyte was prepared by directly coating the hydrolyzed prepolymers onto PVdF microporous membrane, and then polymerizing and cross-linking with ultra-violet (UV). Their chemical, thermal, surface microscopic configuration, swelling ability and electrochemical properties have been investigated for various prepolymer’s solution concentrations. The swelling ability and ionic conductivity of the membrane supporting hybrid gel electrolyte (MSHGE) could reach an extreme point at 0.15 g/ml of the prepolymer’s solution. It is thought that their performance can be affected by the surface microscopic configuration and the quality of coated copolymer. The Arrhenius-type relationship was observed in the temperature dependence of ionic conductivity. The ionic conductivity of MSHGE (PVdF-15) at room temperature can reach 6.18 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹, and its electrochemical stability window is about 4.9 V.     

Characterization of poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP) electrolytes complexed with different lithium salts

Poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP) gel electrolytes comprising a combination of plasticizers, ethylene carbonate (EC) and propylene carbonate (PC) and lithium salt LiX have been prepared using the solution casting technique in an argon atmosphere. The prepared electrolytes were subjected to ionic conductivity, compatibility with lithium metal anode and thermogravimetric (TG)/differential thermal analysis (DTA). The membranes, which possess lithium salt, LiBF₄ exhibited maximum conductivity and on contrary it undergoes severe passivation with lithium metal. All these membranes are found to be stable thermally about 70 °C.     

Preparation and performance characterization of polymer Li-ion batteries using gel poly(diacrylate) electrolyte prepared by in situ thermal polymerization

A gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) was prepared by in-situ thermal polymerization of 1,3-butanediol diacrylate (BDDA) in a EC/EMC/DMC electrolyte solution at 100 °C. The GPE with 15 wt.% polymer content appears as apparently dry polymer with sufficient mechanical strength and shows a high ionic conductivity of 3.2×10^–3 S cm^–1 at 20 °C. The MCMB–LiCoO₂ type polymer Li-ion batteries (PLIB) prepared using this in-situ internal polymerization method exhibit a very high initial charge–discharge efficiency of 92.1%, and can deliver 94.4% of its nominal capacity at 1.0 C rate and 70.7% of its room temperature capacity at –20 °C. Also, the PLIB cells show very good cycling ability with >85% capacity retention after 300 cycles. The excellent charge–discharge properties of the PLIB cells are attributed to the integrated structure in which the polymer matrix spreads over entire region of the cell acting as a strong binder and electrolyte carrier to produce a stabilized electrode–electrolyte interface. In addition, the fabricating process of the polymer cell is quite simple and convenient for practical applications.