Physicochemical properties of poly(ethylene oxide)-based composite polymer electrolytes with a silane-modified mesoporous silica SBA-15

Mesoporous silica SBA-15 was surface-modified by γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxy silane (GPTMS), and novel poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based composite polymer electrolytes (CPE) using the silane-modified SBA-15 (SBA-15-GPTMS) as filler were prepared and characterized. The results of the low-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy indicated that GPTMS has been successfully attached to the surface of SBA-15 with a high degree of mesoscopic hexagonal pore structure. The incorporation of SBA-15-GPTMS in the PEO-LiClO₄ matrix effectively reduced the PEO crystallinity and obviously improved the conductivity and electrochemical stability of the CPEs. The CPE with 10 wt.% SBA-15-GPTMS provided the highest conductivity among all the tested CPEs, about 2-3 orders of magnitude higher than that of the PEO-LiClO₄ matrix below the melting temperature of PEO. The reasons that the CPEs using SBA-15-GPTMS as filler showed higher conductivity than that with SBA-15 were discussed.     

Gel-based composite polymer electrolytes with novel hierarchical mesoporous silica network for lithium batteries

In the present work, novel gel-based composite polymer electrolytes for lithium batteries were prepared by introducing a hierarchical mesoporous silica network to the poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP)-based gel electrolytes. As compared with the PVDF-HFP-based gel electrolytes with/without conventional nano-sized silica fillers, the novel electrolytes have shown more homogeneous microstructure, higher ionic conductivity and better mechanical stability, which could be caused by the strong silica network and the effective interactions among the polymer, the liquid electrolytes and the silica. Moreover, the cell with this kind of electrolytes could achieve a discharge capacity as much as 150 mAh g⁻¹ at room temperature (LiCoO₂ as the cathode active material), with high Coulomb efficiency.     

Review on composite polymer electrolytes for lithium batteries

This paper reviews the state of the art of composite polymer electrolytes (CPE) in view of their electrochemical and physical properties for the applications in lithium batteries. This review mainly encompasses on composite polymer electrolyte hosts namely poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF) studied so far. Also the ionic conductivity, transference number, compatibility and the cycling behavior of poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoro propylene) (PVdF-HFP)-[AlO(OH)]_n-LiPF₆/LiClO₄ composite electrolytes have been studied and the results are discussed.     

Model composite polymer electrolytes containing triphenylborane

Anion trapping materials are presently of major interest as additives to polymer electrolytes. The paper describes the influence of triphenylborane on the physicochemical properties (conductivity, viscosity) of the PEODME-LiX electrolytes. The effect of such type of additive was discussed for various triphenylborane/LiX (X = I⁻, ClO₄⁻, BF₄⁻, CF₃SO₃⁻, (SO₂CF₃)₂N⁻) molar ratios. A possible mechanism for anion-triphenylborane interactions is postulated on the basis of conductivity and FT-IR spectroscopy results. The present work is a beginning of the systematic studies on the effect of the Lewis acidity of an additive on the properties of composite polymeric electrolytes.     

Novel composite polymer electrolyte comprising poly(ethylene oxide) and triblock copolymer/mesostructured silica hybrid used for lithium polymer battery

Ordered mesoporous materials, due to its potential applications in catalysis, separation technologies, and nano-science have attracted much attention in the past few years. In this work, a novel PEO-based composite polymer electrolyte by using organic-inorganic hybrid EO₂₀PO₇₀EO₂₀ @ mesoporous silica (P123 @ SBA-15) as the filler has been developed. The interactions between P123 @ SBA-15 hybrid and PEO chains are studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and FT-IR techniques. The effects of P123 @ SBA-15 on the electrochemical properties of the PEO-based electrolyte, such as ionic conductivity, lithium ion transference number are studied by electrochemical ac impedance spectroscopy and steady-state current method. The experiment results show that P123 @ SBA-15 can enhance the ionic conductivity and increase the lithium ion transference number of PEO-based electrolyte, which are induced by the special topology structure of P123 in P123 @ SBA-15 hybrid, at the same time. The excellent lithium transport properties and broad electrochemical stability window suggesting that PEO-LiClO₄/P123 @ SBA-15 composite polymer electrolyte can be used as candidate electrolyte materials for lithium polymer batteries.     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of lithium methacrylate-based self-doped gel polymer electrolytes

In this study, a strategy for synthesizing lithium methacrylate (LiMA)-based self-doped gel polymer electrolytes was described and the electrochemical properties were investigated by impedance spectroscopy and linear sweep voltammetry. LiMA was found to dissolve in ethylene carbonate (EC)/diethyl carbonate (DEC) (3/7, v/v) solvent after complexing with boron trifluoride (BF₃). This was achieved by lowering the ionic interactions between the methacrylic anion and lithium cation. As a result, gel polymer electrolytes consisting of BF₃-LiMA complexes and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate were successfully synthesized by radical polymerization in an EC/DEC liquid electrolyte. The FT-IR and AC impedance measurements revealed that the incorporation of BF₃ into the gel polymer electrolytes increases the solubility of LiMA and the ionic conductivity by enhancing the ion disassociations. Despite the self-doped nature of the LiMA salt, an ionic conductivity value of 3.0 × 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ was achieved at 25 °C in the gel polymer electrolyte with 49 wt% of polymer content. Furthermore, linear sweep voltammetry measurements showed that the electrochemical stability of the gel polymer electrolyte was around 5.0 V at 25 °C.     

Agar-based films for application as polymer electrolytes

New types of polymer electrolytes based on agar have been prepared and characterized by impedance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction measurements, UV-vis spectroscopy and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The best ionic conductivity has been obtained for the samples containing a concentration of 50 wt.% of acetic acid. As a function of the temperature the ionic conductivity exhibits an Arrhenius behavior increasing from 1.1 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm at room temperature to 9.6 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm at 80 °C. All the samples showed more than 70% of transparency in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum, a very homogeneous surface and a predominantly amorphous structure. All these characteristics imply that these polymer electrolytes can be applied in electrochromic devices.     

Investigations on the enhancement mechanism of inorganic filler on ionic conductivity of PEO-based composite polymer electrolyte: The case of molecular sieves

Polarized optical microscopy (POM) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) techniques are used to study the effect of ZSM-5 molecular sieves on the crystallization mechanism of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) in composite polymer electrolyte. POM results show that ZSM-5 has great influence on both the nucleation stage and the growth stage of PEO spherulites. ZSM-5 particles can act as the nucleus of PEO spherulites and thus increase the amount of PEO spherulites. POM and DSC results show that ZSM-5 can restrain the recrystallize tendency of PEO chains through Lewis acid-base interactions and hence decrease the growth speed of PEO spherulites. Room temperature ionic conductivity of PEO-LiClO₄-based polymer electrolyte can be enhanced by more than two magnitudes during long time storage with the addition of ZSM-5.     

Composite alkaline polymer electrolytes and its application to nickel-metal hydride batteries

In order to enhance the ionic conductivity of polyethylene oxide (PEO)-KOH based alkaline polymer electrolytes, three types of nano-powders, i.e., TiO₂, β-Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ were added to PEO-KOH complex, respectively, and the corresponding composite alkaline polymer electrolytes were prepared. The experimental results showed that the prepared polymer electrolytes exhibited higher ionic conductivities at room temperature, typically 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ as measured by ac impedance method, and good electrochemical stability. The electrochemical stability window of ca. 1.6 V was determined by cyclic voltammetry with stainless steel blocking electrodes. The influence of the film composition such as KOH, H₂O and nano-additives on ion conductivity was investigated and explained. The temperature dependence of conductivity was also determined. In addition, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-KOH alkaline polymer electrolytes were obtained using solvent casting method. The properties of the polymer electrolytes were characterized by ac impedance, cyclic voltammetry and differential thermal analysis methods. The ionic conductivity of the prepared PVA-CMC-KOH-H₂O electrolytes can reach the order of 10⁻² S cm⁻¹. The effect of CMC addition on the alkaline polymer electrolytes was also explained. The experimental results demonstrated that the PVA-CMC-KOH-H₂O polymer electrolyte could be used in Ni/MH battery.     

Solid polymer electrolytes with stable electrochemical properties

In order to build solid-state ambient-temperature batteries with stable electrochemical performances over a period of months, the crystallization process in polymer electrolytes can be suppressed by the addition of an elastomer and a styrenic macromonomer of PEO to a PEO-lithium salt electrolyte. Complex impedance measurements and X-ray diffraction studies were carried out in an attempt to understand the effect of the macromonomer on the electrochemical behaviour. The conductivity was found to increase with macromonomer content and values as high as 10^?5S cm^?1 at room temperature can be obtained. X-ray, diffraction patterns have shown that addition of the elastomer and the macromonomer does not alter the monoclinic unit cell of the crystallized PEO. During ageing, the diffraction lines were found not to vary appreciably over a period of 15 months. Similarly, no appreciable change in the conductivity level was noticed within the same period. The observed behaviour was explained as a suppression of the crystallization process.     

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.     

All solid-state polymer electrolytes prepared from a hyper-branched graft polymer using atom transfer radical polymerization

We propose an all solid-state (liquid free) polymer electrolyte (SPE) prepared from a hyper-branched graft copolymer. The graft copolymer consisting of a poly(methyl methacrylate) main chain and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate side chains was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization changing the average chain distance between side chains, side chain length and branched chain length of the proposed structure of the graft copolymer. The ionic conductivity of the SPEs increases with increasing the side chain length, branched chain length and/or average distance between the side chains. The ionic conductivity of the SPE prepared from POEM₉ whose POEM content = 51 wt% shows 2 × 10⁻⁵ S/cm at 30 °C. The tensile strength of the SPEs decreases with increases the side chain length, branched chain length and/or average distance between the side chains. These results indicate that a SPE prepared from the hyper-branched graft copolymer has potential to be applied to an all-solid polymer electrolyte.     

The conductivity behaviour of gamma-irradiated PEO-LiX electrolytes. I

In an attempt to enhance the room temperature ionic conductivity of PEO-LiX films, samples have been exposed to gamma-irradiation at 78°C. The success with which cross-links have been introduced into the amorphous form has been evaluated from d.s.c. analysis and temperature-dependent conductivity data. Retardation of the recrystallisation event, associated with uncomplexed poly(ethylene oxide), does not occur over a range of total doses. Changes in overall conductivity levels for the PEO-LiCF₃SO₃ ([EO units]/[Li] = 9) system, indicate light cross-linking at 2.25 Mrad of exposure. However, higher doses result in a substantial amount of chain scission, leading eventually to poor mechanical properties. A similar study on PEO-LiClO₄ ([EO units]/[Li] = 20) confirms that the above route is an ineffective method to improve room temperature conductivity.     

Complicated phase behavior and ionic conductivities of PVP-co-PMMA-based polymer electrolytes

We have used DSC, FTIR spectroscopy, and ac impedance techniques to investigate the interactions that occur within complexes of poly(vinylpyrrolidone-co-methyl methacrylate) (PVP-co-PMMA) and lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄) as well as these systems' phase behavior and ionic conductivities. The presence of MMA moieties in the PVP-co-PMMA random copolymer has an inert diluent effect that reduces the degree of self-association of the PVP molecules and causes a negative deviation in the glass transition temperature (T_g). In the binary LiClO₄/PVP blends, the presence of a small amount of LiClO₄ reduces the strong dipole-dipole interactions within PVP and leads to a lower T_g. Further addition of LiClO₄ increases T_g as a result of ion-dipole interactions between LiClO₄ and PVP. In LiClO₄/PVP-co-PMMA blend systems, for which the three individual systems—the PVP-co-PMMA copolymer and the LiClO₄/PVP and LiClO₄/PMMA blends—are miscible at all compositional ratios, a phase-separated loop exists at certain compositions due to a complicated series of interactions among the LiClO₄, PVP and PMMA units. The PMMA-rich component in the PVP-co-PMMA copolymer tends to be excluded, and this phenomenon results in phase separation. At a LiClO₄ content of 20 wt% salt, the maximum ionic conductivity occurred for a LiClO₄/VP57 blend (i.e., 57 mol% VP units in the PVP-co-PMMA copolymer).     

Effect of surface modified porous inorganic-organic hybrid polyphosphazene nanotubes on the properties of polyethylene oxide based solid polymer electrolytes

2-(2-methyloxyethoxy)ethanol modified poly (cyclotriphosphazene-co-4,4′-sufonyldiphenol) (PZS) nanotubes were synthesized and solid composite polymer electrolytes based on the surface modified polyphosphazene nanotubes added to PEO/LiClO₄ model system were prepared. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were used to investigate the characteristics of the composite polymer electrolytes (CPE). The ionic conductivity, lithium ion transference number and electrochemical stability window can be enhanced after the addition of surface modified PZS nanotubes. The electrochemical investigation shows that the solid composite polymer electrolytes incorporated with PZS nanotubes have higher ionic conductivity and lithium ion transference number than the filler SiO₂. Maximum ionic conductivity values of 4.95 × 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ at ambient temperature and 1.64 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at 80 °C with 10 wt % content of surface modified PZS nanotubes were obtained and the lithium ion transference number was 0.41. The good chemical properties of the solid state composite polymer electrolytes suggested that the inorganic-organic hybrid polyphosphazene nanotubes had a promising use as fillers in solid composite polymer electrolytes and the PEO₁₀-LiClO₄-PZS nanotubes solid composite polymer electrolyte can be used as a candidate material for lithium polymer batteries.     

Improved photovoltage and performance by aminosilane-modified PEO/P(VDF-HFP) composite polymer electrolyte dye-sensitized solar cells

A PEO/P(VDF-HFP) composite polymer electrolyte was modified by different amounts of NH₂-end functional silane (3-amonopropyltriethoxysilane, APTS). Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were carried out to examine the configuration changes of the polymer electrolyte. The newly formed Si-O-Si network and interactions influenced the ionic conductivity of the APTS-modified polymer electrolyte and also enhanced the connection of the polymer electrolyte with the electrodes of the dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The cyclic voltammograms and electrochemical impedance measurements indicated that the APTS deprotonated the TiO₂ photoanode surface and negatively changed the Fermi energy level and the conduction band edge to the vacuum level. This effectively reduced the interface recombination in the DSSC and improved the open circuit voltage. With moderate APTS content (0.1 M) modification, the DSSC exhibited a 58 mV improvement of photovoltage and an improved performance of 5.08% compared with 3.74% of the original DSSC.     

New polymer electrolytes based on ether sulfate anions for lithium polymer batteries: Part II: Conductivity and transport properties of blended and cross-linked ionomers

Multifunctional ionomers based on poly(oxyethylene)-co-poly(epichlorohydrin) random copolymers were blended with poly(oxyethylene) or cross-linked through urethane curing. Their conductivities, transference numbers and electrochemical stability were investigated. The cross-linked materials exhibited good mechanical properties. Gelled by liquid organic electrolytes they provided conductivities very close to that of the liquid electrolyte. A thorough comparative investigation of the cationic transference numbers of cross-linked and uncross-linked ionomers was performed. From these data it may be assumed that the cell electrical polarization is enough to induce chain disentanglements, which result in a significant anionic transference number.     

Nanocomposite polymer electrolytes for solid-state lithium-ion batteries with enhanced electrochemical properties

Solid-state polymer electrolytes (SPEs) have attracted significant attention owing to their improvement in high energy density and high safety performance. However, the low lithium-ion conductivity of SPEs at room temperature restricts their further application in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, we propose a novel poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based nanocomposite polymer electrolytes by blending boron-containing nanoparticles (BNs) in the PEO matrix (abbreviated as: PEO/BNs NPEs). The boron atom of BNs is sp²-hybridized and contains an empty p-orbital that can interact with the anion of lithium salt, promoting the dissociation of the lithium salts. In addition, the introduction of the BNs could reduce the crystallinity of PEO. And thus, the ionic conductivity of PEO/BNs NPEs could reach as high as 1.19 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at 60°C. Compared to the pure PEO solid polymer electrolyte (PEO SPEs), the PEO/BNs NPEs showed a wider electrochemical window (5.5 V) and larger lithium-ion migration number (0.43). In addition, the cells assembled with PEO/BNs NPEs exhibited good cycle performance with an initial discharge capacity of 142.5 mA h g⁻¹ and capacity retention of 87.7% after 200 cycles at 2 C (60°C).     

Crystallinity,thermal properties,morphology and conductivity of quaternary plasticized PEO‐based polymer electrolytes

Quaternary plasticized solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) films composed of poly(ethylene oxide), LiClO₄, Li_1.3Al_0.3Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃, and either ethylene carbonate or propylene carbonate as plasticizer (over a range of 10–40 wt%) were prepared by a solution‐cast technique. X‐ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) indicated that components such as LiClO₄ and Li_1.3Al_0.3Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃ and the plasticizers exerted important effects on the plasticized quaternary SPE systems. XRD analysis revealed the influence from each component on the crystalline phase. DSC results demonstrated the greater flexibility of the polymer chains, which favored ionic conduction. SEM examination revealed the smooth and homogeneous surface morphology of the plasticized polymer electrolyte films. EIS suggested that the temperature dependence of the films' ionic conductivity obeyed the Vogel–Tamman–Fulcher (VTF) relation, and that the segmental movement of the polymer chains was closely related to ionic conduction with increasing temperature. The pre‐exponential factor and pseudo activation energy both increased with increasing plasticizer content and were maximized at 40 wt% plasticizer content. The charge transport in all polymer electrolyte films was predominantly reliant on lithium ions. All transference numbers were less than 0.5. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of a novel amphipathic ionic liquid on lithium deposition in gel polymer electrolytes

A novel dimeric ionic liquid based on imidazolium cation and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide (TFSI) anion has been synthesized through a metathesis reaction. Its chemical shift values and thermal properties are identified via ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The effect of the synthesized dimeric ionic liquid on the interfacial resistance of gel polymer electrolytes is described. Differences in the SEM images of lithium electrodes after lithium deposition with and without the 1,1′-pentyl-bis(2,3-dimethylimidazolium) bis(trifluoromethane-sulfonyl)imide (PDMITFSI) ionic liquid in gel polymer electrolytes are clearly discernible. This occurs because the PDMITFSI ionic liquid with hydrophobic moieties and polar groups modulates lithium deposit pathways onto the lithium metal anode. Moreover, high anodic stability for a gel polymer electrolyte with the PDMITFSI ionic liquid was clearly observed.