Preparation of 3D Semi-Interpenetrated Polymer Networks Polymer Electrolyte for Lithium Metal Battery

Authors

Yun-Feng Zhang, Sustainable Energy Laboratory, Faculty of Material Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China;Follow
Jia-Ying Wang, Sustainable Energy Laboratory, Faculty of Material Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China;
Xiao-Jie Li, Sustainable Energy Laboratory, Faculty of Material Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China;
Shi-Yu Zhao, Sustainable Energy Laboratory, Faculty of Material Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China;
Yang He, Sustainable Energy Laboratory, Faculty of Material Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China;
Shi-Kang Huo, Sustainable Energy Laboratory, Faculty of Material Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China;
Ya-Ying Wang, Sustainable Energy Laboratory, Faculty of Material Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China;
Chang Tan, Sustainable Energy Laboratory, Faculty of Material Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China;

Corresponding Author

Yun-Feng Zhang(zhangyf329@gmail.com)

Abstract

As the next generation high-energy batteries, lithium metal battery has attracted more and more attention due to its highest specific capacity (3860 mA·h·g^-1) and the lowest anode potential (-3.04 V versus the standard hydrogen electrode, SHE). However, the safety problem caused by lithium dendrite growth is one of the biggest challenges for the commercialization of lithium metal batteries. Single ion conducting polymer electrolytes, which deliver high lithium ion transference number, represent one of the important strategies to inhibit lithium dendrite growth. However, the poor compatibility with electrodes and low ionic conductivity largely limit their practical application. In the present work, the cross-linking pentaerythritol tetraacrylate precursor and AIBN radical initiator was select as an additive in the commercial 1 mol·L^-1 LiPF₆-EC/PC (v:v = 1:1) electrolyte, and then was added into the high porous single ion conducting polymer electrolyte. The as-prepared single ion conducting polymer electrolyte was used as the polymer electrolyte for assembling lithium metal battery with the LiFePO₄ cathode. The three-dimensional semi-interpenetrating network inside the high porous single ion conducting polymer electrolyte was fabricated by thermal-induced in-situ polymerization inside of the battery by putting the battery in an oven at high temperature. The key properties were successfully investigated. The results indicated that the formed three-dimensional semi-interpenetrating network of the single ion conducting polymer electrolyte was great favorable to improve the ionic conductivity and mechanical property of the polymer electrolyte, and subsequently, to effectively inhibit the growth of lithium dendrite. As a result, the ionic conductivity of 0.53 mS·cm^-1 at room temperature and lithium ion transference number of 0.65 were successfully obtained through the implementation of this strategy. It is proved that the as-presented electrolyte can effectively inhibit the growth of lithium dendrite and improve the rate performance, which provides a facile solution for the development of lithium metal battery technology.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

lithium metal battery, polymer electrolyte, lithium ion transference number, lithium dendrite growth, semi-interpenetrated polymer network

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.13208/j.electrochem.200915

Publication Date

2021-08-28

Online Available Date

2020-11-10

Revised Date

2020-10-10

Received Date

2020-09-27

Recommended Citation

Yun-Feng Zhang, Jia-Ying Wang, Xiao-Jie Li, Shi-Yu Zhao, Yang He, Shi-Kang Huo, Ya-Ying Wang, Chang Tan. Preparation of 3D Semi-Interpenetrated Polymer Networks Polymer Electrolyte for Lithium Metal Battery[J]. Journal of Electrochemistry, 2021 , 27(4): 413-422.
DOI: As the next generation high-energy batteries, lithium metal battery has attracted more and more attention due to its highest specific capacity (3860 mA·h·g^-1) and the lowest anode potential (-3.04 V versus the standard hydrogen electrode, SHE). However, the safety problem caused by lithium dendrite growth is one of the biggest challenges for the commercialization of lithium metal batteries. Single ion conducting polymer electrolytes, which deliver high lithium ion transference number, represent one of the important strategies to inhibit lithium dendrite growth. However, the poor compatibility with electrodes and low ionic conductivity largely limit their practical application. In the present work, the cross-linking pentaerythritol tetraacrylate precursor and AIBN radical initiator was select as an additive in the commercial 1 mol·L^-1 LiPF₆-EC/PC (v:v = 1:1) electrolyte, and then was added into the high porous single ion conducting polymer electrolyte. The as-prepared single ion conducting polymer electrolyte was used as the polymer electrolyte for assembling lithium metal battery with the LiFePO₄ cathode. The three-dimensional semi-interpenetrating network inside the high porous single ion conducting polymer electrolyte was fabricated by thermal-induced in-situ polymerization inside of the battery by putting the battery in an oven at high temperature. The key properties were successfully investigated. The results indicated that the formed three-dimensional semi-interpenetrating network of the single ion conducting polymer electrolyte was great favorable to improve the ionic conductivity and mechanical property of the polymer electrolyte, and subsequently, to effectively inhibit the growth of lithium dendrite. As a result, the ionic conductivity of 0.53 mS·cm^-1 at room temperature and lithium ion transference number of 0.65 were successfully obtained through the implementation of this strategy. It is proved that the as-presented electrolyte can effectively inhibit the growth of lithium dendrite and improve the rate performance, which provides a facile solution for the development of lithium metal battery technology.