Recyclable Turing-Structured Polymer Electrolytes for Sustainable Solid-State Batteries

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) face critical limitations in ionic conductivity, ion transference numbers, and recyclability. We report a recyclable Turing-structured polymer electrolyte (TPE) prepared at gas/liquid/solid interface through evaporation/diffusion-driven instability. The Turing structure provides fast ion-conduction surfaces/channels with periodic lithium (Li)-ion (Li⁺) self-concentration domains to enable a 3D percolating Li⁺ conduction, reducing migration barriers to achieve a high Li⁺ conductivity (1.6 × 10^-3 S cm^-1 at 25 °C) and transference number (0.61). TPEs enable stable cycling performance in various solid-state batteries at low-temperature conditions (-20 °C), alongside excellent self-healing, flame-retardant, and recyclable properties. Closed-loop recycling recovers 86.5% of polymer precursors and 82.6% of costly Li bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) salt, with regenerated electrolytes retaining their initial performance. These results highlight the potential of Turing structure as a scalable design paradigm for sustainable and high-performance energy storage and conversion systems.