Increasing the ionic conductivity and lithium-ion transport of photo-cross-linked polymer with hexagonal arranged porous film hybrids

Manjit Singh Grewal; Kazuaki Kisu; Shin-Ichi Orimo; Hiroshi Yabu

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2022.104910

Increasing the ionic conductivity and lithium-ion transport of photo-cross-linked polymer with hexagonal arranged porous film hybrids

iScience. 2022 Aug 13;25(9):104910. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104910. eCollection 2022 Sep 16.

Authors

Manjit Singh Grewal¹, Kazuaki Kisu², Shin-Ichi Orimo^{1

2}, Hiroshi Yabu^{1

3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Advanced Institute of Materials Research (WPI-AIMR), Tohoku University, 2-1-1, Katahira, Aoba-Ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan.
² Institute for Materials Research (IMR), Tohoku University, Katahira 2-1-1, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan.
³ Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials (IMRAM), Tohoku University, 2-1-1, Katahira, Aoba-Ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan.
⁴ RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science, 2-1, Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.

Abstract

High ionic conductivity, suitable mechanical strength, and electrochemical stability are the main requirements for high-performance poly(ethylene oxide)-based electrolytes. However, the low ionic conductivity owing to the crystallinity of the ethylene oxide chain that limits the discharge rate and low-temperature performance has restricted the development and commercialization of these electrolytes. Lithium electrolytes that combine high ionic conductivity with a high lithium transference number are rare and are essential for high-power batteries. Here, we report hexagonal arranged porous scaffolds for holding prototype polyethylene glycol-based composite electrolytes containing solvate ionic liquid. The appealing electrochemical and thermal properties indicate their potential as electrolytes for safer rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The porous scaffolds in the composite electrolytes ensure better electrochemical performance towing to their shortened pores (sizes of 3-14 μm), interconnected pathways, and improved lithium mobility. We demonstrate that both molecular design and porous microstructures are essential for improving performance in polymer electrolytes.

Keywords: energy storage; materials science; polymers.