Hydroxyapatite Nanowire-Reinforced Poly(ethylene oxide)-Based Polymer Solid Electrolyte for Application in...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Solid-state lithium batteries are crucial for high-temperature applications.
• Developing stable and high-performance electrolytes for extreme temperatures remains a challenge.
• Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based electrolytes offer potential but require performance enhancement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To improve the performance of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based solid-state electrolytes using a hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanowire membrane.
• To investigate the impact of HAP nanowires on ionic conductivity, electrochemical stability, and lithium-ion transport.
• To evaluate the performance of a full lithium battery utilizing the enhanced electrolyte at high temperatures.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a self-supporting hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanowire membrane.
• Incorporation of the HAP membrane into a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) matrix to create a hybrid polymer electrolyte.
• Characterization of ionic conductivity, electrochemical window, and lithium-ion migration.
• Assembly and testing of a LiFePO4//Li full battery with the hybrid electrolyte under high-temperature cycling conditions.

Main Results:

• The hybrid polymer electrolyte exhibited enhanced room-temperature ionic conductivity (1.05 × 10^-5 S cm^-1).
• Broad electrochemical windows were achieved (5.9 V at 60 °C, 4.9 V at 160 °C).
• The LiFePO4//Li battery demonstrated good rate capability and cycling stability at high temperatures, retaining 77% capacity after 300 cycles at 4 C.

Conclusions:

• The self-supporting HAP nanowire membrane effectively enhances PEO-based solid composite electrolytes.
• The improved electrolytes show promise for high-performance lithium batteries operating at extreme temperatures.
• This approach offers new strategies for developing advanced solid-state batteries for demanding applications.