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Solid-state Graft Copolymer Electrolytes for Lithium Battery Applications
Published on: August 12, 2013
Electrolytes for Zn Batteries: Deep Eutectic Solvents in Polymer Gels
Victor Gregorio1,2, Piotr Jankowski2,3, Nuria Garcia1
1Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICTP-CSIC), Calle Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
Gel polymer electrolytes composed of deep eutectic solvent acetamide4 :Zn(TFSI)2 and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) are prepared by using a fast, solvent-free procedure. The effect of the PEO molecular weight and its concentration on the physicochemical and electrochemical properties of the electrolytes are studied. Gels prepared with ultrahigh molecular-weight PEO present pseudo-solid behavior and ionic conductivity even higher than that of the original liquid electrolyte. A decrease in the dendritic growth in soft gels with PEO contents up to 1 wt % is demonstrated. The changes in the chemical structure of the electrolyte produced by the strong interactions between ethylene oxide units and Zn2+ have also been studied. The addition of PEO takes the electrolyte out of its original eutectic composition, producing blend crystallization. However, it is possible to retain the eutectic point of the electrolyte in a gel form if the addition of PEO is accompanied by the reduction of acetamide.
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