Lithium sulfonated styrene oligomer (LiSSO) as a new class of lithium salt for polymer electrolytes

Summary   A new class of lithium salt with single-ionic characteristics, lithium sulfonated styrene oligomer (LiSSO) [(CH₂CHC₆H₅)₇-(CH₂CHC₆H₄SO₃ ⁻Li⁺)₂], was synthesized and its complex with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) was prepared. The maximum ionic conductivity of the PEO/LiSSO complex at 65°C was 2.1×10⁻⁴S/cm at a salt concentration of [Li⁺]/[EO] = 0.20. The lithium cationic transference number (t ₊) of the PEO/LiSSO complex was found to be 0.95, and the polymer electrolyte was electrochemically stable up to 6.2V. Received: 2 April 2001/Revised version: 30 July 2001/Accepted: 30 July 2001     

Lithium transference number measurements and complex abilities in anion trapping triphenyloborane-poly(ethylene oxide) dimethyl ether-lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate composite electrolyte

In this paper we report the combined, positive effect of triphenyloborane (BPh₃) additive on conductivity and lithium cation transference numbers in poly(ethylene oxide) dimethyl ether (PEODME)-lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (LiCF₃SO₃, LiTf) electrolytes. The transport mechanism is discussed on the basis of impedance measurements, restricted diffusion t⁺ measurements, ionic association semi-empirical quantitative estimation and spectroscopic studies. A substantial increase in the lithium transference number values in triphenylborane enriched composite electrolytes was observed in comparison with the pure PEODME-LiCF₃SO₃ electrolyte. This effect is assisted by ionic conductivity enhancement.     

Characterization and use of aqueous caesium chloride as an ultra-concentrated salt bridge

Five strong aqueous binary electrolytes — one symmetrical (CsCl) and four unsymmetrical (Li₂SO₄, K₂SO₄, Rb₂SO₄, Cs₂SO₄) — have been examined, for possible use as salt bridges for the minimization of liquid junction potentials (E _L), up to the highest concentrations practicable, by the method of homoionic transference cells: Pt–Ir | Cl₂ | CsCl (m ₂) CsCl (m ₁) | Cl₂ | Pt–Ir and Hg | Hg₂Cl₂ | CsCl (m ₂) CsCl (m ₁) | Hg₂Cl₂ | Hg for CsCl, and Hg | Hg₂SO₄ | Me₂SO₄ (m ₂) Me₂SO₄ (m ₁) | Hg₂SO₄ | Hg for the Me₂SO₄ sulphates where Me=Li, K, Rb and Cs. CsCl, K₂SO₄, Rb₂SO₄, and Cs₂SO₄, prove to belong to the class obeying close equality of transference numbers for their ions, that is,t ₊= |t _–|=0.5, over the whole concentration range (namely, from infinite dilution up to saturation). This result qualifies aqueous CsCl as an unrivalled salt bridge, whose equitransference is obeyed more stringently than any other salt. This is now demonstrated experimentally over the whole molality range, the saturation molality being as high as 11.30 mol kg^–1 at 25°C. The observed propertyt ₊=|t _–|=0.5 excludes K₂SO₄, Rb₂SO₄, and Cs₂SO₄, as possible salt bridges because the equitransference conditions for minimization ofE _L's are ₊ = |_–| = l/(z ₊ + |z _–|) = 0.333, i.e.,t ₊=0.333 andt _–=2t ₊=0.667. Finally, Li₂SO₄, though behaving quite differently from the other three sulphates studied, does not sufficiently approach the required conditions, contrary to what one might have hoped from its known infinite-dilution transference numbers.     

Morphological and conductivity studies of di-ureasil xerogels containing lithium triflate

Sol-gel derived poly(oxyethylene)/siloxane hybrids doped with lithium triflate, LiCF₃SO₃, have been investigated. The host hybrid matrix of these materials, named di-ureasil and represented by U(600), is composed by a siliceous framework to which polyether chains containing 8.5 oxyethylene repeat units are covalently bonded through urea linkages. Xerogel samples U(600)_nLiCF₃SO₃ with n (where n is the molar ratio of oxyethylene moieties per Li⁺ ion) between ∞ and 0.1 have been examined. X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry have provided conclusive evidence that the xerogels analyzed are entirely amorphous. The salt-rich material with n=1 exhibits the highest conductivity over the whole range of temperature analyzed (e.g. 4.3×10⁻⁶ and 2.0×10⁻⁴ Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹, respectively, at 25 and 94 °C).     

The influence of lithium salt on the interfacial reactions controlling the thermal stability of graphite anodes

The thermal stability of graphite anodes used in Li-ion batteries has been investigated, with the influence of electrolyte salt under special scrutiny, LiPF₆, LiBF₄, LiCF₃SO₃ and LiN(SO₂CF₃)₂ in an ethylene carbonate (EC)/dimethyl carbonate (DMC) solvent mixture. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed exothermic reactions in the temperature range 60-200 °C for all electrolyte systems. The reactions were coupled to decomposition of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and reactions involving intercalated lithium. The onset temperature of the exothermic reactions increased with type of salt in the order: LiBF₄<LiPF₆<LiCF₃SO₃<LiN(SO₂CF₃)₂. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to identify surface species formed prior to and after the exothermic reactions, to clarify different thermal behaviour for different salts. The decomposed SEI's in LiCF₃SO₃ and LiN(SO₂CF₃)₂ electrolytes were found to be mainly solvent-based, including lithium alkyl carbonate decomposition to stable Li₂CO₃ and the formation of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-type polymers. In the LiBF₄ and LiPF₆ systems, decomposition was governed by salt reactions, which decomposed the salts and resulted in the main product LiF.     

Effects of the addition of LiCl,LiClO4, and LiCF3SO3 salts on the chemical structure,density, electrical,and mechanical properties of rigid polyurethane foam composite

The effect of the incorporation of several lithium salts on the electrical and mechanical properties of polyurethane rigid (PUR) foams was investigated. Different amounts of lithium chloride (LiCl), lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄), and lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (LiCF₃SO₃) were added to the polyuretanic precursor. The salts affected the cellular microstructures and consequently the mechanical properties of the composite. Composite foams containing an amount of LiCl greater than 2 wt% showed low‐surface resistivity (～10⁶ Ω), whereas the LiClO₄ and LiCF₃SO₃ composites showed, in all range of filler percentage analyzed, high‐surface resistivity values (～10¹¹ Ω). This behavior was related to the different interactions between PUR and lithium salts, as confirmed by FTIR/Attenuated Total Reflectance analysis. Only the LiCl was able to create a motion of the ions Li⁺ and Cl^? along the polyurethanic chains, because LiCl was completely dissociated. On the contrary, LiClO₄ and LiCF₃SO₃ that affected the macromolecular structure of the polymeric network did not permit the formation of polyurethanic channels, where the ions could move, thus creating a charge motion. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Simple introduction of anion trapping site to polymer electrolytes through dehydrocoupling or hydroboration reaction using 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane

Organoboron-based anion trapping polymer electrolytes were synthesized through hydroboration or dehydrocoupling reaction between poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) oligomer (M_n = 400, 1200, 2000 and 4000) and 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9-BBN). Obtained oligomers were added various lithium salts (LiN(CF₃SO₂)₂, LiSO₃CF₃, LiCO₂CF₃ or LiBr) to analyze the ionic conductivity and lithium ion transference number (tLi⁺). The ionic conductivity of the oligomer in the presence of LiN(CF₃SO₂)₂ showed higher ionic conductivity than other systems, however, the tLi⁺ was less than 0.3. When LiSO₃CF₃ or LiCO₂CF₃, was added high tLi⁺ over 0.6 was obtained. Such difference in tLi⁺ can be explained by HSAB principle. Since boron is a hard acid, soft (CF₃SO₂)₂N⁻ anion can not be trapped effectively. High ionic conductivity of 1.3 × 10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹ and high tLi⁺ of 0.73 was obtained when PPO chain length was 2000. These values of facilely prepared polymer electrolytes are comparable to those of the PPOs having covalently bonded salt moieties on the chain ends.     

The effect of different lithium salts on conductivity of comb-like polymer electrolyte with chelating functional group

The behaviors of lithium ions in a comb-like polymer electrolyte with chelating functional group complexed with LiCF₃SO₃, LiBr and LiClO₄ were characterized by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, AC impedance, and ¹³C solid-state NMR measurement. The comb-like copolymer was synthesized from poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMEM) and (2-methylacrylic acid 3-(bis-carboxymethylamino)-2-hydroxy-propyl ester) (GMA-IDA). FT-IR spectra reveal the interactions of Li⁺ ions with both the ether oxygen of the PEGMEM and the nitrogen atom of the GMA-IDA segments. FT-IR spectra also indicate an increasing anion-cation association consistent with increasing LiCF₃SO₃ concentrations. Moreover, the ¹³C solid-state NMR spectra for the carbons attached to the ether oxygen atoms exhibited significant line broadening and a slight upfield chemical shift when the dopant was added to the polymer. These findings indicate coordination between the Li cation and the ether oxygens in the PEG segment. T_g and T_d of copolymers doped with salts clearly increase, as shown by DSC and TGA measurements. These results indicate the interactions of Li⁺ with both PEGMEM and GMA-IDA segments form transient cross-links inside the copolymers. The Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher (VTF)-like behavior of conductivity implies the coupling of the charge carriers with the segmental motion of the polymer chain in this study. The maximum conductivity of copolymers relates to the composition of the copolymers and the concentration of doping lithium ions. In summary, the GMA-IDA unit in the copolymer promotes the dissociation of the lithium salt, the mechanical strength and the conductivity of the polyelectrolyte.     

New boron compounds as additives for lithium polymer electrolytes

A new class of difluoroalkoxyborane compounds ([R_nOBF₂]₂) containing oligooxyethylene groups of various molecular weight in the form of a methyl monoether (R_n = CH₃(OCH₂CH₂)_n, n = 1, 2, 3 and 7) has been obtained in the reaction of BF₃ etherate with appropriate glycols. ¹H, ¹¹B and ¹⁹F NMR spectral analysis of the derivatives obtained was carried out and the properties as Lewis acids of these derivatives have been compared with that of corresponding trialkoxyboranes and boron trifluoride in reaction with pyridine. The strength of the interaction of [R₂OBF₂]₂ with the differing in “hardness” anions of various lithium salts has been analyzed on the basis of NMR spectra. The [R_nOBF₂]₂ obtained were used as additives for polymer electrolytes containing PEO as polymer matrix and various lithium salts at an equimolar ratio of the boron compound to salt. The highest ionic conductivities, in the order 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 20-70 °C, were achieved for systems containing LiI and LiN(CF₃SO₂)₂. The lithium transference number (t₊) values, determined by the electrochemical method by steady-state technique for LiF and LiCF₃SO₃ are in the 0.6-0.8 range.     

Comb-shaped single ion conductors based on polyacrylate ethers and lithium alkyl sulfonate

Comb-shaped single ion conductors have been synthesized by (1) sulfonation of small molecule chloroethyleneglycols, which, after ion exchange to the Li⁺ salt were then converted to the acrylate by reaction with acryloyl chloride and copolymerized with polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether acrylate (Mn = 454, n = 8) (PAE₈-co-E₃SO₃Li); (2) sulfonation of chloride end groups grafted on to prepolymers of polyacrylate ethers (PAE₈-g-E_nSO₃Li, n = 2, 3). The highest conductivity at 25 °C of 2.0 × 10⁻⁷ S cm⁻¹ was obtained for the PAE₈-co-E₃SO₃Li with a salt concentration of EO/Li = 40. The conductivity of PAE₈-g-E₃SO₃Li is lower than that of PAE₈-co-E₃SO₃Li at similar salt concentrations, which is related to the incomplete sulfonation of the grafted polymer that leads to a lower concentration of Li⁺. The addition of 50 wt.% of plasticizer, PC/EMC (1/1, v/v), to PAE₈-g-E₂SO₃Li increases the ambient conductivity by three orders of magnitude, which is due to the increased ion mobility in a micro-liquid environment and an increase concentration of free ions as a result of the higher dielectric constant of the solvent. A symmetrical Li/Li cell with an electrolyte membrane consisting of 75 wt.% PC/EMC (1/1, v/v) was cycled at a current density of 100 μA cm⁻² at 85 °C. The cycling profile showed no concentration polarization after a break-in period during the first few cycles, which was apparently due to reaction of the solvent at the lithium metal surface that reacted with lithium metal to form a stable SEI layer.     

Lithium ionic conductivity in poly(ether urethanes) derived from poly(ethylene glycol) and lysine ethyl ester

Poly(ether urethanes) obtained by the copolymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and lysine ethyl ester (LysOEt) are elastomeric materials that can be processed readily to form flexible, soft films. In view of these desirable physicomechanical properties, the potential use of these new materials as solid polymer electrolytes was explored. Solid polymer electrolytes were prepared with copolymers containing PEG blocks of different lengths and with different concentrations of lithium triflate (LiCF₃SO₃). Correlations between the length of the PEG block, the concentration of lithium triflate in the formulation, and the observed Li⁺ ion conductivity were investigated. Solid electrolyte formulations were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry for glass transition temperatures (T_g), melting points (T_m), and crystallinity. Ionic conductivity measurements were carried out on thin films of the polymer electrolytes that had been cast on a microelectrode assembly using conventional ac-impedance spectroscopy. These polymer electrolytes showed inherently high ionic conductivity at room temperature. The optimum concentration of lithium triflate was about 25–30% (w/w), resulting at room temperature in an ionic conductivity of about 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹. For poly(PEG₂₀₀₀-LysOEt) containing 30% of LiCF₃SO₃, the activation energy was ∼ 1.1 eV. Our results indicate that block copolymers of PEG and lysine ethyl ester are promising candidates for the development of polymeric, solvent-free electrolytes. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 63: 1449–1456, 1997     

Morphology,crystallinity, and electrochemical properties of in situ formed poly(ethylene oxide)/TiO2 nanocomposite polymer electrolytes

A method to produce nanocomposite polymer electrolytes consisting of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as the polymer matrix, lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF₄) as the lithium salt, and TiO₂ as the inert ceramic filler is described. The ceramic filler, TiO₂, was synthesized in situ by a sol–gel process. The morphology and crystallinity of the nanocomposite polymer electrolytes were examined by scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. The electrochemical properties of interest to battery applications, such as ionic conductivity, Li⁺ transference number, and stability window were investigated. The room‐temperature ionic conductivity of these polymer electrolytes was an order of magnitude higher than that of the TiO₂ free sample. A high Li⁺ transference number of 0.51 was recorded, and the nanocomposite electrolyte was found to be electrochemically stable up to 4.5 V versus Li⁺/Li. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 2815–2822, 2003     

Dimerization of ions in aqueous solution of lithium chloride in adiabatic conditions

Dimerized forms of salt ions: Li₂OH⁺ and Cl ₂ ^– , are contained in aqueous solution of lithium chloride, and their concentration increases with an increase in the concentration of the solution, when electron-acceptor additives are added, and when the solution is alkalized. The amount of dimerized impurities should decrease in the series of alkali metal chlorides, including HCl, from lithium to cesium.Translated from Khimicheskie Volokna, No. 6, pp. 35–37, November–December, 1994.     

Improvement of electrochemical properties of PEO–LiTFSI electrolyte by incorporation of boroxine polymers with different backbone lengths

A series of boroxine polymers (BP) with different backbone lengths were synthesized. Polymer electrolytes prepared by blending poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and BP with Li(N(SO ₂CF₃)₂) (LiTFSI) were evaluated. Better performance was observed by addition of BP in the PEO based polymer electrolyte. The effect of the backbone length of BP on electrochemical properties of PEO–BP–LiTFSI electrolyte systems was investigated. Compared with the PEO–LiTFSI system, about five times higher ionic conductivity at low temperature and five times higher lithium ion transference number at 70°C were achieved by incorporation of long chain BP in the electrolyte. Short chain BP exhibited outstanding performance in decreasing interfacial resistances on both anode and cathode surfaces. Good battery performance was also observed for these BP containing hybrid polymer electrolytes.     

Solid polymer electrolytes based on oligo(ethylene glycol)methacrylates

Summary Complexes of LiCF₃SO₃ and a polymer obtained by polymerization of triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TRGDMA) and its copolymerization with acrylonitrile (AN) at molar ratios of 0.67, 2.0 and 4.0, both in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) dimethylether as a plasticizer, provides a.c.conductivities in the range between 10^-5 and 10^-4 S/cm at ambient temperature. An increase of conductivities has been found at growing ratios of [AN]:[TRGDMA] from 0 to 2.0 and molar ratios of ethylene oxide (EO) units: LiCF₃SO₃ ranging from 12 to about 26. The conductivity is nearly independent on the content of AN at [EO]:[Li⁺]=52.The temperature-dependence of the conductivity shows an Arrhenius-type behaviour when the content of the salt and/or acrylonitrile in the network was high.     

Synthesis of hollandite-type LixMnO2 by Li ion-exchange in molten salt and lithium insertion characteristics

The Li⁺ ion-exchange reaction of K⁺-type α-K_0.14MnO_1.93·nH₂O containing different amounts of water molecules (n = 0-0.15) with a large (2 × 2) tunnel structure has been investigated in a LiNO₃-LiCl molten salt at 300 °C. The Li⁺ ion-exchanged products were examined by chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy measurements. The K⁺ ions and the hydrogens of the water molecules in the (2 × 2) tunnels of α-MnO₂ were exchanged by Li⁺ ions in the molten salt, resulting in the Li⁺-type α-MnO₂ containing different amounts of Li⁺ ions and lithium oxide (Li₂O) in the (2 × 2) tunnels with maintaining the original hollandite structure.The electrochemical properties and structural variation with initial discharge and charge-discharge cycling of the Li⁺ ion-exchanged α-MnO₂ samples have been investigated as insertion compounds in the search for new cathode materials for rechargeable lithium batteries. The Li⁺ ion-exchanged α-MnO₂ samples provided higher capacities and higher Li⁺ ion diffusivity than the parent K⁺-type materials on initial discharge and charge-discharge cyclings, probably due to the structural stabilization with the existence of Li₂O in the (2 × 2) tunnels.     

On the difference in cycling behaviors of lithium-ion battery cell between the ethylene carbonate- and propylene carbonate-based electrolytes

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been performed to gain insight into the difference in cycling behaviors between the ethylene carbonate (EC)-based and the propylene carbonate (PC)-based electrolytes in lithium-ion battery cells. DFT calculations of the lithium solvation, Li⁺(S)_i (S = EC or PC; i = 1–4) with and without the presence of the counter anion showed that the desolvation energy to remove one solvent molecule from the first solvation shell of the lithium ion was significantly reduced by as much as 70 kcal mol⁻¹ (293.08 kJ mol⁻¹) in the presence of the counter anion, suggesting the lithium ion is more likely to be desolvated at high salt concentrations. The thermodynamic stability of the ternary graphite intercalation compounds, Li⁺(S)_iC₇₂, in which Li⁺(S)_i was inserted into a graphite cell, was also examined by DFT calculations. The results suggested that Li⁺(EC)_iC₇₂ was more stable than Li⁺(PC)_iC₇₂ for a given i. Furthermore, some of Li⁺(PC)_iC₇₂ were found to be energetically unfavorable, while all of Li⁺(EC)_i=1–4C₇₂ were stable, relative to their corresponding Li⁺(S)_i in the bulk electrolyte. In addition, the interlayer distances of Li⁺(PC)_iC₇₂ were more than 0.1 nm longer than those of Li⁺(EC)_iC₇₂. MD simulations were also carried out to examine the solvation structures at a high salt concentration of LiPF₆: 2.45 mol kg⁻¹. The results showed that the solvation structure was significantly interrupted by the counter anions, having a smaller solvation number than that at a lower salt concentration (0.83 mol kg⁻¹). We propose that at high salt concentrations, the lithium desolvation may be facilitated due to the increased contact ion pairs so as to form a stable ternary GIC with less solvent molecules without destruction of graphite particles, followed by solid–electrolyte-interface film formation reactions. The results from both DFT calculations and MD simulations are consistent with the recent experimental observations.     

Electrochemical properties of poly(decaviologen) in polymer media

Poly(decaviologen) (DV²⁺, 2ClO ₄ ^– ) has been prepared and used in the characterization of two redox couples; dication/cation radical ((DV²⁺, 2 ClO ₄ ^– )/(DV⁺, ClO ₄ ^– )) and cation radical/decaviologen ((DV⁺, ClO ₄ ^– )/(DV^o)) in a polyethylene oxide-LiClO₄ medium by linear potential sweep voltammetry. The (DC²⁺, 2 ClO ₄ ^– )/(DV⁺, ClO ₄ ^– ) couple has been used to determine the transport number of lithium in poly(ethylene oxide)–LiClO₄ or LiCF₃SO₃ complex media.     

Kinetics and Mechanism of the Interaction of Alkali Calcium Silicate Glasses with Salt Melts in the KNO3–Pb(NO3)2 System

The interaction of alkali calcium silicate glasses with salt melts in the KNO₃–Pb(NO₃)₂ system is investigated at temperatures of 420–520°C. The chemical composition of crystalline coatings formed upon treatment contains both components of the initial glass (SiO₂, 9–12 wt %; CaO, 0.8–1.2 wt %) and components of the salt melt (PbO, 82–89 wt %). The treatment temperature is the main factor affecting the structure of the modified surface layer. The mechanism of the interaction of alkali calcium silicate glasses with salt melts is analyzed. According to this mechanism, the interaction involves the ion exchange (with the participation of Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Pb²⁺ ions), crystallization of modified surface layers, and incorporation of Pb _x O _y nanoparticles (formed in the salt melt) into the coating structure.     

The Faradaic impedance of the lithium-sulphur dioxide system. A kinetic interpretation

Impedance measurements have been made on Li/SO₂(C) cells containing an acetonitrile-based electrolyte in a range of states from newly assembled to completely discharged. The cell behaviour can be explained if it is assumed that the lithium is an irreversible electrode and that the SO₂ electrode is reversible. The nominal exchange current density on the lithium is 0.7 mA cm^–2 and 0.37 for the cell Li/LiBr(2.35 mol dm^–3), CH₃CN, S₂O ₄ ^2– ¦SO₂(6.25 mol dm^–3)C