Self-Healable Solid Polymeric Electrolytes for Stable and Flexible Lithium Metal Batteries

Abstract

The key issue holding back the application of solid polymeric electrolytes in high-energy density lithium metal batteries is the contradictory requirements of high ion conductivity and mechanical stability. In this work, self-healable solid polymeric electrolytes (SHSPEs) with rigid-flexible backbones and high ion conductivity are synthesized by a facile condensation polymerization approach. The all-solid Li metal full batteries based on the SHSPEs possess freely bending flexibility and stable cycling performance as a result of the more disciplined metal Li plating/stripping, which have great implications as long-lifespan energy sources compatible with other wearable devices.

Keywords: flexible batteries; lithium metal batteries; self-healing materials; solid polymer electrolytes; wearable devices.