Unveiling the Role of PEO-Capped TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanofiller in Stabilizing the Anode Interface in Lithium Metal Batteries.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 36315593.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c02973 and PMC identifier 9650764.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) will be a breakthrough in automotive applications, but they require the development of next-generation solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) to stabilize the anode interface. Polymer-in-ceramic PEO/TiO<sub>2</sub> nanocomposite SSEs show outstanding properties, allowing unprecedented LMBs durability and self-healing capabilities. However, the mechanism underlying the inhibition/delay of dendrite growth is not well understood. In fact, the inorganic phase could act as both a chemical and a mechanical barrier to dendrite propagation. Combining advanced <i>in situ</i> and <i>ex situ</i> experimental techniques, we demonstrate that oligo(ethylene oxide)-capped TiO<sub>2</sub>, although chemically inert toward lithium metal, imparts SSE with mechanical and dynamical properties particularly favorable for application. The self-healing characteristics are due to the interplay between mechanical robustness and high local polymer mobility which promotes the disruption of the electric continuity of the lithium dendrites (razor effect).