Nanophase-Separated, Elastic Epoxy Composite Thin Film as an Electrolyte for Stable Lithium Metal Batteries.
basic_science · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 33754730.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c00583.
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Abstract
The design of solid polymer electrolytes (SPE) with high ionic conductivity and excellent mechanical properties is challenging because these two properties are often conflicting. To achieve both, a reaction-controlled strategy is proposed based on the nanophase separation of an ionic transport pathway and a supporting matrix to balance ionic mobility and mechanical properties. Specifically, an elastic epoxy polymer electrolyte (eEPE), synthesized via two-step polymerization, combines outstanding mechanical strength (toughness of 3.4 MJ m<sup>-3</sup>) and high ionic conductivity (3.5 × 10<sup>-4</sup> S cm<sup>-1</sup> at 25 °C). The nanostructured eEPE is both tough and flexible, therefore promotes uniform deposition of Li even under a high current density (2 mA cm<sup>-2</sup> and 2 mAh cm<sup>-2</sup>). Importantly, eEPE composite films greatly improve the safety performance of the LiFePO<sub>4</sub>/Li pouch cells: safe operations are achieved under several abusive conditions. This work highlights an alternative route for high-safety solid-state lithium metal batteries of the next generation.