Polyacrylonitrile-Polyvinyl Alcohol-Based Composite Gel-Polymer Electrolyte for All-Solid-State Lithium-Ion Batteries

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Three-dimensional (3D) battery structures offer increased surface area for active materials, boosting areal capacity.
• Integrating polymer electrolytes into complex 3D architectures without defects presents a significant challenge.
• Developing advanced electrode materials is crucial for enhancing battery performance and longevity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a flawless conformal coating for a 3D-structured NiO/Ni anode.
• To develop a novel three-layer polymer electrolyte (PAN-(PAN-PVA)-PVA) with Al2O3 nanoparticles.
• To evaluate the electrochemical performance and cycling stability of the modified 3D anode.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a simple thermal oxidation technique for anode preparation.
• Fabricated a three-layer polymer electrolyte: PAN-(PAN-PVA)-PVA.
• Incorporated Al2O3 nanoparticles as nanofillers into the polymer electrolyte.
• Characterized the electrochemical performance, including cycling stability and capacity retention.

Main Results:

• Achieved a defect-free conformal coating on the 3D NiO/Ni anode.
• The NiO/Ni@PAN-(PAN-PVA)-PVA with 0.5 wt% Al2O3 NPs configuration showed enhanced cycling stability.
• Demonstrated superior electrochemical performance, reaching a capacity of 546 mAh g-1 at a 0.1 C rate.
• PAN provided mechanical stability and corrosion resistance; PVA ensured excellent ionic conductivity.

Conclusions:

• The developed polymer electrolyte system is effective for 3D battery architectures.
• The combination of PAN, PVA, and Al2O3 nanoparticles significantly enhances electrode performance.
• This approach offers a promising strategy for developing high-performance 3D batteries.