Electrolyte-Solvent-Modified Alternating Copolymer as a Single-Ion Solid Polymer Electrolyte for High-Performance...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) offer higher energy density than graphite anode batteries.
• Lithium dendrite formation is a major challenge hindering the practical application of LMBs.
• Single-ion solid polymer electrolytes (SSPEs) are promising for suppressing dendrites due to their polarization relaxation properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel SSPE membrane for effective suppression of lithium dendrite growth in LMBs.
• To evaluate the electrochemical performance and practical applicability of the developed SSPE membrane.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a novel SSPE membrane by modifying a polymeric lithium salt with an electrolyte solvent.
• Characterization of the SSPE membrane's ionic conductivity and single-ion conducting behavior.
• Assembly and testing of LiFePO4 (LFP) coin cells and flexible batteries using the SSPE membrane.

Main Results:

• The novel SSPE membrane exhibited single-ion conducting behavior, effectively restricting lithium dendrite growth.
• The SSPE membrane achieved an ionic conductivity of 1.42 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature.
• LFP coin cells demonstrated excellent rate performance and cycling stability.
• Flexible LFP batteries with the SSPE membrane showed good practicability and environmental adaptability.

Conclusions:

• The developed SSPE membrane is an effective strategy for suppressing lithium dendrites in LMBs.
• The SSPE membrane enables high performance and stable cycling in LFP batteries.
• The SSPE membrane holds potential for practical and adaptable flexible battery applications.