Development of an Electrophoretic Deposition Method for the In Situ Fabrication of Ultra-Thin Composite-Polymer Electrolytes for Solid-State Lithium-Metal Batteries

All-solid-state lithium-metal batteries offer higher energy density and safety than lithium-ion batteries, but their practical applications have been pushed back by the sluggish Li⁺ transport, unstable electrolyte/electrode interface, and/or difficult processing of their solid-state electrolytes. Li⁺-conducting composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) consisting of sub-micron particles of an oxide solid-state electrolyte (OSSE) dispersed in a solid, flexible polymer electrolyte (SPE) have shown promises to alleviate the low Li⁺ conductivity of SPE, and the high rigidity and large interfacial impedance of OSSEs. Solution casting has been by far the most widely used procedure for the preparation of CPEs in research laboratories; however, this method imposes several drawbacks including particle aggregation and settlement during a long-term solvent evaporation step, excessive use of organic solvents, slow production time, and mechanical issues associated with handling of ultra-thin films of CPEs (<50 µm). To address these challenges, an electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method is developed to in situ deposit ultra-thin CPEs on lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cathodes within just a few minutes. EPD-prepared CPEs have shown better electrochemical performance in the lithium-metal battery than those CPEs prepared by solution casting due to a better dispersion of OSSE within the SPE matrix and improved CPE contact with LFP cathodes.     

锂离子电池陶瓷复合全固态电解质的制备和性能研究

以负载Al₂O₃的无纺布为支撑膜, 浸涂PEO-LAGP-SN-LiTFSI的乙腈共混液干燥后制得新型复合固态电解质膜(CLASP)。该膜的热稳定性好, 即使在170℃的高温下依然不发生形变。当浸涂共混液中PEO: LAGP: SN: LiTFSI为3: 1: 1: 1, 固含量为10wt%时, 室温电导率可以达到3.66×10^-5 S/cm, 100℃时电导率可达2.52×10^-4 S/cm. CLASP膜的电化学窗口宽, 以该膜代替液态电解质装配的全固态LiFePO₄/CLASP/Li电池, 在55℃循环时表现出良好的循环稳定性, 高的库伦效率, 有望成为电化学性能优越的全固态电解质。     

Lithium garnets: Synthesis,structure, Li+ conductivity,Li+ dynamics and applications

Inorganic solid fast Li⁺ conductors based batteries are expected to overcome the limitations over safety concerns of flammable organic polymer electrolytes based Li⁺ batteries. Hence, an all-solid-state Li⁺ battery using non-flammable solid electrolyte have attracted much attention as next-generation battery. Therefore, in the development of all-solid-state lithium rechargeable batteries, it is important to search for a solid electrolyte material that has high Li⁺ conductivity, low electronic conductivity, fast charge transfer at the electrode interface and wide electrochemical window stability against potential electrodes and lithium metal. Hence, significant research effort must be directed towards developing novel fast Li⁺ conductors as electrolytes in all-solid-state lithium batteries. Among the reported inorganic solid Li⁺ conductive oxides, garnet-like structural compounds received considerable attention in recent times for potential application as electrolytes in all-solid-state lithium batteries. The focus of this review is to provide comprehensive overview towards the importance of solid fast lithium ion conductors, advantages of lithium garnets over other ceramic lithium ion conductors and understanding different strategies on synthesis of lithium garnets. Attempts have also been made to understand relationship between the structure, Li⁺ conduction and Li⁺ dynamics of lithium garnets. The status of lithium garnets as solid electrolyte in electrochemical devices like all-solid state lithium battery, lithium-air battery and sensor are also discussed.     

Aliphatic Polycarbonate‐Based Solid‐State Polymer Electrolytes for Advanced Lithium Batteries: Advances and Perspective

Conventional liquid electrolytes based lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) might suffer from serious safety hazards. Solid‐state polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are very promising candidate with high security for advanced LIBs. However, the quintessential frailties of pristine polyethylene oxide/lithium salts SPEs are poor ionic conductivity (≈10⁻⁸ S cm⁻¹) at 25 °C and narrow electrochemical window (<4 V). Many innovative researches are carried out to enhance their lithium‐ion conductivity (10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 25 °C), which is still far from meeting the needs of high‐performance power LIBs at ambient temperature. Therefore, it is a pressing urgency of exploring novel polymer host materials for advanced SPEs aimed to develop high‐performance solid lithium batteries. Aliphatic polycarbonate, an emerging and promising solid polymer electrolyte, has attracted much attention of academia and industry. The amorphous structure, flexible chain segments, and high dielectric constant endow this class of polymer electrolyte excellent comprehensive performance especially in ionic conductivity, electrochemical stability, and thermally dimensional stability. To date, many types of aliphatic polycarbonate solid polymer electrolyte are discovered. Herein, the latest developments on aliphatic polycarbonate SPEs for solid‐state lithium batteries are summarized. Finally, main challenges and perspective of aliphatic polycarbonate solid polymer electrolytes are illustrated at the end of this review.     

Composition Modulation and Structure Design of Inorganic‐in‐Polymer Composite Solid Electrolytes for Advanced Lithium Batteries

Owing to their safety, high energy density, and long cycling life, all‐solid‐state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) have been identified as promising systems to power portable electronic devices and electric vehicles. Developing high‐performance solid‐state electrolytes is vital for the successful commercialization of ASSLBs. In particular, polymer‐based composite solid electrolytes (PCSEs), derived from the incorporation of inorganic fillers into polymer solid electrolytes, have emerged as one of the most promising electrolyte candidates for ASSLBs because they can synergistically integrate many merits from their components. The development of PCSEs is summarized. Their major components, including typical polymer matrices and diverse inorganic fillers, are reviewed in detail. The effects of fillers on their ionic conductivity, mechanical strength, thermal/interfacial stability and possible Li⁺‐conductive mechanisms are discussed. Recent progress in a number of rationally constructed PCSEs by compositional and structural modulation based on different design concepts is introduced. Successful applications of PCSEs in various lithium‐battery systems including lithium–sulfur and lithium–gas batteries are evaluated. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives for developing high‐performance PCSEs are proposed.     

Improving Room-Temperature Li-Metal Battery Performance by In Situ Creation of Fast Li+ Transport Pathways in a Polymer-Ceramic Electrolyte

Composite polymer-ceramic electrolytes have shown considerable potential for high-energy-density Li-metal batteries as they combine the benefits of both polymers and ceramics. However, low ionic conductivity and poor contact with electrodes limit their practical usage. In this study, a highly conductive and stable composite electrolyte with a high ceramic loading is developed for high-energy-density Li-metal batteries. The electrolyte, produced through in situ polymerization and composed of a polymer called poly-1,3-dioxolane in a poly(vinylidene fluoride)/ceramic matrix, exhibits excellent room-temperature ionic conductivity of 1.2 mS cm⁻¹ and high stability with Li metal over 1500 h. When tested in a Li|electrolyte|LiFePO₄ battery, the electrolyte delivers excellent cycling performance and rate capability at room temperature, with a discharge capacity of 137 mAh g⁻¹ over 500 cycles at 1 C. Furthermore, the electrolyte not only exhibits a high Li⁺ transference number of 0.76 but also significantly lowers contact resistance (from 157.8 to 2.1 Ω) relative to electrodes. When used in a battery with a high-voltage LiNi_0.8Mn_0.1Co_0.1O₂ cathode, a discharge capacity of 140 mAh g⁻¹ is achieved. These results show the potential of composite polymer-ceramic electrolytes in room-temperature solid-state Li-metal batteries and provide a strategy for designing highly conductive polymer-in-ceramic electrolytes with electrode-compatible interfaces.     

Enhancement of ionic conductivity of PEO based polymer electrolyte by the addition of nanosize ceramic powders

The ionic conductivity of polyethylene oxide (PEO) based solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) has been improved by the addition of nanosize ceramic powders (TiO2 and AL2O3). The PEO based solid polymer electrolytes were prepared by the solution-casting method. Electrochemical measurement shows that the 10 wt% TiO2 PEO-LiClO4 polymer electrolyte has the best ionic conductivity (about 10(-4) S cm(-1) at 40-60 degrees C). The lithium transference number of the 10 wt% TiO2 PEO-LiClO4 polymer electrolyte was measured to be 0.47, which is much higher than that of bare PEO polymer electrolyte. Ac impedance testing shows that the interface resistance of ceramic-added PEO polymer electrolyte is stable. Linear sweep voltammetry measurement shows that the PEO polymer electrolytes are electrochemically stable in the voltage range of 2.0-5.0 V versus a Li/Li+ reference electrode.     

A Silica‐Aerogel‐Reinforced Composite Polymer Electrolyte with High Ionic Conductivity and High Modulus

High‐energy all‐solid‐state lithium (Li) batteries have great potential as next‐generation energy‐storage devices. Among all choices of electrolytes, polymer‐based systems have attracted widespread attention due to their low density, low cost, and excellent processability. However, they are generally mechanically too weak to effectively suppress Li dendrites and have lower ionic conductivity for reasonable kinetics at ambient temperature. Herein, an ultrastrong reinforced composite polymer electrolyte (CPE) is successfully designed and fabricated by introducing a stiff mesoporous SiO₂ aerogel as the backbone for a polymer‐based electrolyte. The interconnected SiO₂ aerogel not only performs as a strong backbone strengthening the whole composite, but also offers large and continuous surfaces for strong anion adsorption, which produces a highly conductive pathway across the composite. As a consequence, a high modulus of ≈0.43 GPa and high ionic conductivity of ≈0.6 mS cm^?1 at 30 °C are simultaneously achieved. Furthermore, LiFePO₄–Li full cells with good cyclability and rate capability at ambient temperature are obtained. Full cells with cathode capacity up to 2.1 mAh cm^?2 are also demonstrated. The aerogel‐reinforced CPE represents a new design principle for solid‐state electrolytes and offers opportunities for future all‐solid‐state Li batteries.     

Flexible,Flame‐Resistant,and Dendrite‐Impermeable Gel‐Polymer Electrolyte for Li–O2/Air Batteries Workable Under Hurdle Conditions

Gel‐polymer electrolytes are considered as a promising candidate for replacing the liquid electrolytes to address the safety concerns in Li–O₂/air batteries. In this work, by taking advantage of the hydrogen bond between thermoplastic polyurethane and aerogel SiO₂ in gel polymer, a highly crosslinked quasi‐solid electrolyte (FST‐GPE) with multifeatures of high ionic conductivity, high mechanical flexibility, favorable flame resistance, and excellent Li dendrite impermeability is developed. The resulting gel‐polymer Li–O₂/air batteries possess high reaction kinetics and stabilities due to the unique electrode–electrolyte interface and fast O₂ diffusion in cathode, which can achieve up to 250 discharge–charge cycles (over 1000 h) in oxygen gas. Under ambient air atmosphere, excellent performances are observed for coin‐type cells over 20 days and for prototype cells working under extreme bending conditions. Moreover, the FST‐GPE electrolyte also exhibits durability to protect against fire, dendritic Li, and H₂O attack, demonstrating great potential for the design of practical Li–O₂/air batteries.     

Lithium–Graphite Paste: An Interface Compatible Anode for Solid‐State Batteries

All‐solid‐state batteries (ASSBs) with ceramic‐based solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs) enable high safety that is inaccessible with conventional lithium‐ion batteries. Lithium metal, the ultimate anode with the highest specific capacity, also becomes available with nonflammable SSEs in ASSBs, which offers promising energy density. The rapid development of ASSBs, however, is significantly hampered by the large interfacial resistance as a matched lithium/ceramic interface that is not easy to pursue. Here, a lithium–graphite (Li–C) composite anode is fabricated, which shows a dramatic modification in wettability with garnet SSE. An intimate Li–C/garnet interface is obtained by casting Li–C composite onto garnet‐type SSE, delivering an interfacial resistance as low as 11 Ω cm². As a comparison, pure Li/garnet interface gives a large resistance of 381 Ω cm². Such improvement can be ascribed to the experiment‐measured increased viscosity of Li–C composite and simulation‐verified limited interfacial reaction. The Li–C/garnet/Li–C symmetric cell exhibits stable plating/striping performance with small voltage hysteresis and endures a critical current density up to 1.0 mA cm^?2. The full cell paired with LiFePO₄ shows stable cycle performance, comparable to the cell with liquid electrolyte. The present work demonstrates a promising strategy to develop ceramic‐compatible lithium metal‐based anodes and hence low‐impedance ASSBs.     

Polymer electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries

The motivation for lithium battery development and a discussion of ion conducting polymers as separators begin this review, which includes a short history of polymer electrolyte research, a summary of the major parameters that determine lithium ion transport in polymer matrices, and consequences for solid polymer electrolyte development. Two major strategies for the application of ion conducting polymers as separators in lithium batteries are identified: One is the development of highly conductive materials via the crosslinking of mobile chains to form networks, which are then swollen by lithium salt solutions ("gel electrolytes"). The other is the construction of solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) with supramolecular architectures, which intrinsically give rise to much enhanced mechanical strength. These materials as yet exhibit relatively common conductivity levels but may be applied as very thin films. Molecular composites based on poly(p-phenylene)- (PPP)-reinforced SPEs are a striking example of this direction. Neither strategy has as yet led to a "breakthrough" with respect to technical application, at least not for electrically powered vehicles. Before being used as separators, the gel electrolytes must be strengthened, while the molecularly reinforced solid polymer electrolytes must demonstrate improved conductivity.     

Advanced Composite Solid Electrolytes for Lithium Batteries: Filler Dimensional Design and Ion Path Optimization

Composite solid electrolytes are considered to be the crucial components of all-solid-state lithium batteries, which are viewed as the next-generation energy storage devices for high energy density and long working life. Numerous studies have shown that fillers in composite solid electrolytes can effectively improve the ion-transport behavior, the essence of which lies in the optimization of the ion-transport path in the electrolyte. The performance is closely related to the structure of the fillers and the interaction between fillers and other electrolyte components including polymer matrices and lithium salts. In this review, the dimensional design of fillers in advanced composite solid electrolytes involving 0D–2D nanofillers, and 3D continuous frameworks are focused on. The ion-transport mechanism and the interaction between fillers and other electrolyte components are highlighted. In addition, sandwich-structured composite solid electrolytes with fillers are also discussed. Strategies for the design of composite solid electrolytes with high room temperature ionic conductivity are summarized, aiming to assist target-oriented research for high-performance composite solid electrolytes.     

Extended Electrochemical Window of Solid Electrolytes via Heterogeneous Multilayered Structure for High‐Voltage Lithium Metal Batteries

In response to the call for safer high‐energy‐density storage systems, high‐voltage solid‐state Li metal batteries have attracted extensive attention. Therefore, solid electrolytes are required to be stable against both Li anode and high‐voltage cathodes; nevertheless, the requirements still cannot be completely satisfied. Herein, a heterogeneous multilayered solid electrolyte (HMSE) is proposed to broaden electrochemical window of solid electrolytes to 0–5 V, through different electrode/electrolyte interfaces to overcome the interfacial instability problems. Oxidation‐resistance poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) is in contact with the cathode, while reduction tolerant polyethylene glycol diacrylate contacts with Li metal anode. A Janus and flexible PAN@Li_1.4Al_0.4Ge_1.6(PO₄)₃ (80 wt%) composite electrolyte is designed as intermediate layer to inhibit dendrite penetration and ensure compact interface. Paired with LiNi_0.6Co_0.2Mn_0.2O₂ and LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ cathodes, which are rarely used in solid‐state batteries, the solid‐state Li metal batteries with HMSE exhibit excellent electrochemical performance including high capacity and long cycle life. Besides, the Li||Li symmetric batteries maintain a stable polarization less than 40 mV for more than 1000 h under 2 mA cm^?2 and effective inhibition of dendrite formation. This study offers a promising approach to extend the applications of solid electrolytes for high‐voltage solid‐state Li metal batteries.     

聚合物复合固体电解质材料研究进展

固体电解质是发展高安全、高能量密度全固态锂电池的重要材料基础。由聚合物相与无机相复合形成的聚合物复合固体电解质,兼具聚合物轻质、柔性,以及无机材料高强度、高稳定性等优势,是最具应用潜力的固体电解质材料。目前,制约聚合物复合固体电解质实际应用的主要瓶颈问题为其室温离子电导率较低。综述了目前关于聚合物复合固体电解质离子传导机制的科学认识以及提升其离子电导率的方法,分析了先进表征工具在揭示聚合物复合固体电解质离子传导机制方面的应用潜力,并展望了聚合物复合固体电解质未来的发展方向和工作重点。     

Interfacial Interaction of Multifunctional GQDs Reinforcing Polymer Electrolytes For All-Solid-State Li Battery

Solid-state polymer electrolytes are highly anticipated for next generation lithium ion batteries with enhanced safety and energy density. However, a major disadvantage of polymer electrolytes is their low ionic conductivity at room temperature. In order to enhance the ionic conductivity, here, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are employed to improve the poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) based electrolyte. Owing to the increased amorphous areas of PEO and mobility of Li⁺, GQDs modified composite polymer electrolytes achieved high ionic conductivity and favorable lithium ion transference numbers. Significantly, the abundant hydroxyl groups and amino groups originated from GQDs can serve as Lewis base sites and interact with lithium ions, thus promoting the dissociation of lithium salts and providing more ion pathways. Moreover, lithium dendrite is suppressed, associated with high transference number, enhanced mechanical properties and steady interface stability. It is further observed that all solid-state lithium batteries assembled with GQDs modified composite polymer electrolytes display excellent rate performance and cycling stability.     

Lithium-Ion Battery Separators for Ionic-Liquid Electrolytes: A Review

Ionic liquids (ILs) are widely studied as a safer alternative electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries. The properties of IL electrolytes compared to conventional electrolytes make them more thermally stable, but they also have poor wetting with commercial separators. In a lithium-ion battery, the electrolyte should completely wet out the separator and electrodes to reduce the cell internal resistance. Investigations of cell materials with IL electrolytes have shown that the wetting issues in IL–electrolyte cells are most likely due to poor separator compatibility, not electrode compatibility. A compatible separator must be developed before IL electrolytes can be used in commercial lithium-ion batteries. Herein, separators for IL electrolytes, including commercial and novel separators, are reviewed. Separators with different processing methods, polymers, additives, and different IL electrolytes are considered. Collated, the separator studies show a strong correlation between ionic conductivity and membrane porosity, even more than the electrolyte type. The challenge of a suitable separator for IL electrolytes is not solved yet. Herein, it is revealed that a separator for IL electrolytes will most likely require a combination of high thermal and mechanical stability polymer, ceramic additives, and an optimized manufacturing process.     

基于三维芳纶纳米纤维骨架的柔性高压复合电解质膜及其固态锂金属电池

聚合物电解质在锂金属电池中的应用受限于锂枝晶生长、电化学不稳定性及较低的离子电导率.为解决这些问题,本文通过向三维多孔芳纶纳米纤维(ANF)中填充聚环氧乙烷(PEO)-双三氟甲基磺酰亚胺锂(LiTFSI)电解质,制备了基于三维芳纶纳米纤维网络骨架的柔性ANF/PEO-LiTFSI复合电解质薄膜.由于其独特的构造及离子在三维ANF/PEO-LiTFSI界面中的连续输运,该复合电解质膜具有比PEO-LiTFSI电解质膜更高的力学强度(10.0 MPa)、热稳定性、电化学稳定性(60℃下达4.6 V)和离子电导率,以及较强的抑制锂枝晶能力.基于该复合电解质的固态LiFePO4/Li电池表现出优异的循环性能(在0.4 C下充放电百次后的容量达130 mA h g-1、保持率为93%).该研究提供了一种基于三维骨架设计和制备高性能电解质的有效方法,有望应用于固态锂金属电池.     

聚氧化乙烯-聚硅氧烷基离子液体复合聚合物电解质的研究

通过对不同聚硅氧烷(PDMS)含量的聚氧化乙烯-聚硅氧烷(PEO-PDMS)聚合物电解质电化学性能的测试,确定出PDMS最佳添加量,并以此聚合物配比为基体,通过复合不同质量分数的离子液体1-丁基-3-甲基咪唑双三氟甲磺酰亚胺盐([BMIM]TF-SI)或N-甲基、丙基哌啶双三氟甲磺酰亚胺盐(PP13TFSI),制备得到不同体系的离子液体复合聚合物电解质膜。离子液体的加入可显著提高聚合物电解质的室温电导率,样品PPP-100%室温电导率达到5.6×10-4S/cm。同时,样品均具有良好的热学和电化学稳定性。通过两种体系聚合物电解质性能对比得知,PP13TFSI离子液体复合聚合物电解质具有更优性能,有望作为新型电解质材料应用在锂离子电池中。     

钠离子电池Na3Zr2Si2PO12陶瓷电解质的喷雾干燥法制备及性能优化

目前钠离子电池采用的有机电解液存在易燃易爆等安全隐患,迫切需要开发高性能的固体电解质材料.其中NASICON型Na3Zr2Si2PO12电解质具有宽电化学窗口、高机械强度、对空气稳定、高离子电导率等优点,应用前景广阔.但已有研究的陶瓷生坯由于黏结剂包覆不均匀导致生坯内部气孔较多,难以烧成高致密、高离子电导的陶瓷电解质....     

Thiol-Branched Solid Polymer Electrolyte Featuring High Strength,Toughness, and Lithium Ionic Conductivity for Lithium-Metal Batteries

Lithium-metal batteries (LMBs) with high energy densities are highly desirable for energy storage, but generally suffer from dendrite growth and side reactions in liquid electrolytes; thus the need for solid electrolytes with high mechanical strength, ionic conductivity, and compatible interface arises. Herein, a thiol-branched solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) is introduced featuring high Li⁺ conductivity (2.26 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature) and good mechanical strength (9.4 MPa)/toughness (≈500%), thus unblocking the tradeoff between ionic conductivity and mechanical robustness in polymer electrolytes. The SPE (denoted as M-S-PEGDA) is fabricated by covalently cross-linking metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), tetrakis (3-mercaptopropionic acid) pentaerythritol (PETMP), and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) via multiple C S C bonds. The SPE also exhibits a high electrochemical window (>5.4 V), low interfacial impedance (<550 Ω), and impressive Li⁺ transference number (t_Li+ = 0.44). As a result, Li||Li symmetrical cells with the thiol-branched SPE displayed a high stability in a >1300 h cycling test. Moreover, a Li|M-S-PEGDA|LiFePO₄ full cell demonstrates discharge capacity of 143.7 mAh g⁻¹ and maintains 85.6% after 500 cycles at 0.5 C, displaying one of the most outstanding performances for SPEs to date.