Strain-induced crystallization and phase separation used for fabricating a tough and stiff slide-ring solid polymer...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Electrochemical Engineering

Background:

• Mechanically robust polymer electrolytes are crucial for advanced applications like wearable devices.
• High Young's modulus (stiffness) and breaking energy (toughness) are key for electrolyte reliability, preventing short circuits and resisting crack propagation.
• A significant challenge is the brittleness of polymer electrolytes with high stiffness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design a novel tough slide-ring solid polymer electrolyte (SR-SPE) that overcomes the stiffness-toughness trade-off.
• To investigate the combined effects of strain-induced crystallization (SIC) and phase separation on mechanical properties and ionic conductivity.
• To demonstrate a new strategy for developing mechanically superior polymer electrolytes.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a slide-ring solid polymer electrolyte (SR-SPE) utilizing strain-induced crystallization (SIC) and phase separation.
• Characterization of mechanical properties, including Young's modulus and breaking energy.
• Evaluation of ionic conductivity to ensure performance is not compromised.

Main Results:

• The developed SR-SPE exhibits high toughness with a breaking energy of 80 to 100 MJ/m³ due to SIC.
• Phase separation contributes to enhanced stiffness, with a Young's modulus ranging from 10 to 70 MPa.
• The combined mechanisms result in a tough and stiff SR-SPE without negatively impacting ionic conductivity.

Conclusions:

• The novel SR-SPE successfully balances stiffness and toughness, addressing a critical limitation in current polymer electrolytes.
• The strategy of combining strain-induced crystallization and phase separation offers a promising route for developing advanced polymer electrolytes.
• This approach has potential for broader applications in tough polymer gel materials and energy storage devices.