Synthesis and Modeling of Polysiloxane-Based Salt-in-Polymer Electrolytes with Various Additives

Biodegradable Solid Polymer Electrolytes from the Discarded Cataractous Eye Protein Isolate

The protein extracted from the discarded eye lenses postcataract surgery, referred to as the cataractous eye protein isolate (CEPI), is employed as a polymer matrix for the construction of solid polymer electrolyte species (SPEs). SPEs are expected to be inexpensive, conductive, and mechanically stable in order to be economically and commercially viable. Environmentally, these materials should be biodegradable and nontoxic. Taking these factors into account, we investigated the possibility of using a discarded protein as a polymer matrix for SPEs. Natural compounds sorbitol and sinapic acid (SA) are used as the plasticizer and cross-linker, respectively, to tune the mechanical as well as electrochemical properties. The specific material formed is demonstrated to have high ionic conductivity ranging from ∼2 × 10-2 to ∼8 × 10-2 S cm-1. Without the addition of any salt, the ionic conductivity of sorbitol-plasticized non-cross-linked CEPI is ∼7.5 × 10-2 S cm-1. Upon the addition of NaCl, the conductivity is enhanced to ∼8 × 10-1 S cm-1. This study shows the possibility of utilizing a discarded protein CEPI as an alternative polymer matrix with further potential for the construction of tunable, flexible, recyclable, biocompatible, and biodegradable SPEs for flexible green electronics and biological devices.

On the concentration polarisation in molten Li salts and borate-based Li ionic liquids

Electrolytes that transport only Li ions play a crucial role in improving rapid charge and discharge properties in Li secondary batteries. Single Li-ion conduction can be achieved via liquid materials such as Li ionic liquids containing Li⁺ as the only cations because solvent-free fused Li salts do not polarise in electrochemical cells, owing to the absence of neutral solvents that allow polarisation in the salt concentration and the inevitably homogeneous density in the cells under anion-blocking conditions. However, we found that borate-based Li ionic liquids induce concentration polarisation in a Li/Li symmetric cell, which results in their transference (transport) numbers under anion-blocking conditions (tabcLi) being well below unity. The electrochemical polarisation of the borate-based Li ionic liquids was attributed to an equilibrium shift caused by exchangeable B-O coordination bonds in the anions to generate Li salts and borate-ester solvents at the electrode/electrolyte interface. By comparing borate-based Li ionic liquids containing different ligands, the B-O bond strength and extent of ligand exchange were found to be directly linked to the tabcLi values. This study confirms that the presence of dynamic exchangeable bonds causes electrochemical polarisation and provides a reference for the rational molecular design of Li ionic liquids aimed at achieving single-ion conducting liquid electrolytes.

Dual-Cation Electrolytes Crosslinked with MXene for High-Performance Electrochromic Devices

MXene, a 2D material, is used as a filler to manufacture polymer electrolytes with high ionic conductivity because of its unique sheet shape, large specific surface area and high aspect ratio. Because MXene has numerous -OH groups on its surface, it can cause dehydration and condensation reactions with poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid) (PSSA) and consequently create pathways for the conduction of cations. The movement of Grotthuss-type hydrogen ions along the cation-conduction pathway is promoted and a high ionic conductivity can be obtained. In addition, when electrolytes composed of a conventional acid or metal salt alone is applied to an electrochromic device (ECD), it does not bring out fast response time, high coloration efficiency and transmittance contrast simultaneously. Therefore, dual-cation electrolytes are designed for high-performance ECDs. Bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amine lithium salt (LiTFSI) was used as a source of lithium ions and PSSA crosslinked with MXene was used as a source of protons. Dual-Cation electrolytes crosslinked with MXene was applied to an indium tin oxide-free, all-solution-processable ECD. The effect of applying the electrolyte to the device was verified in terms of response time, coloration efficiency and transmittance contrast. The ECD with a size of 5 × 5 cm2 showed a high transmittance contrast of 66.7%, fast response time (8 s/15 s) and high coloration efficiency of 340.6 cm2/C.

Effect of Side-Chain Branching on Enhancement of Ionic Conductivity and Capacity Retention of a Solid Copolymer Electrolyte Membrane

Low current drain driven by the low ionic conductivity of a solid polymer electrolyte is one of the major obstacles of solid-state battery. In an effort to improve the ionic conductivity of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) and monofunctional polyethylene glycol methyl ether acrylate (PEGMEA) were copolymerized via photopolymerization to afford a PEGDA network with dangling PEGMEA side chains. By attaching PEGMEA side branches to the PEGDA network backbone, the glass transition temperature (T_g) was found to decrease, which may be controlled by relative amounts of PEGMEA and PEGDA. Concurrently, the ionic conductivity of a co-PEM consisting of lithium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonylimide (LiTFSI) salt and a succinonitrile plasticizer in the PEGMEA-co-PEGDA copolymer network was enhanced with increasing PEGMEA side branching. The relationship between the network T_g and ionic conductivity of the branched co-PEM was analyzed in the context of the Vogel-Tammann-Fulcher equation. The plasticized branched co-PEM network exhibited room-temperature ionic conductivity at a superionic conductor level of 10^-3 S/cm. Of particular importance is the fact that excellent capacity retention at a high current rate (2 C) in charge/discharge cyclings of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/co-PEM/Li and LiFePO₄/co-PEM/Li half-cells was achieved. This improved charge retention may be attributed to lower frictional surfaces of the electrodes afforded by side brushes, which probably alleviates formation of irreversible reaction byproducts at the electrode/electrolyte interface.

Solid State Ionics: from Michael Faraday to green energy-the European dimension

Solid State Ionics has its roots essentially in Europe. First foundations were laid by Michael Faraday who discovered the solid electrolytes Ag2S and PbF2 and coined terms such as cation and anion, electrode and electrolyte. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the main lines of development toward Solid State Ionics, pursued in Europe, concerned the linear laws of transport, structural analysis, disorder and entropy and the electrochemical storage and conversion of energy. Fundamental contributions were then made by Walther Nernst, who derived the Nernst equation and detected ionic conduction in heterovalently doped zirconia, which he utilized in his Nernst lamp. Another big step forward was the discovery of the extraordinary properties of alpha silver iodide in 1914. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, the concept of point defects was established by Yakov Il'ich Frenkel, Walter Schottky and Carl Wagner, including the development of point-defect thermodynamics by Schottky and Wagner. In terms of point defects, ionic (and electronic) transport in ionic crystals became easy to visualize. In an 'evolving scheme of materials science', point disorder precedes structural disorder, as displayed by the AgI-type solid electrolytes (and other ionic crystals), by ion-conducting glasses, polymer electrolytes and nano-composites. During the last few decades, much progress has been made in finding and investigating novel solid electrolytes and in using them for the preservation of our environment, in particular in advanced solid state battery systems, fuel cells and sensors. Since 1972, international conferences have been held in the field of Solid State Ionics, and the International Society for Solid State Ionics was founded at one of them, held at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, in 1987.

Transport Mechanisms of Ions in Graft-Copolymer Based Salt-in-Polymer Electrolytes

Salt-in-polymer electrolytes based on graft copolymers with oligoether side chains and added LiCF3SO3 (LiTf) are investigated concerning the transport and dynamics of the ionic species with respect to applications as Li ion conductors. Polymer architectures are based on polysiloxane or polyphosphazene backbones with one or two side chains per monomer, respectively. NMR methods provide information about molecular dynamics on different length scales: The mechanisms governing local dynamics and long range mass transport are studied on the basis of temperature dependent spin-lattice relaxation rates and pulsed field gradient diffusion measurements for 7Li, 19F and 1H, respectively. The correlation times characterizing local ion dynamics reflect the complexation of the cations by the oligoether side chains of the polymer. 7Li and 19F diffusion coefficients and their activation energies are rather similar, suggesting the formation of ion pairs and clusters with similar activation barriers for cation and/or anion long-range transport. Activation energies of local reorientations are generally significantly smaller than activation energies of long range diffusion. Long range transport is affected by (1) the coupling of conformational side chain reorientations to the cation movement, and (2) the correlated diffusion of cations and anions within ion pairs. Ion pairs and their dissociation play a major role in controlling the resulting conductivity of the material. Guidelines for material optimization in terms of a maximized conductivity can thus be derived by identifying a compromise between high ionic mobility and good Li complexation by the coordinating side chains.

Salt-in-Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium Ion Batteries Based on Organo-Functionalized Polyphosphazenes and Polysiloxanes

An overview is given on polymer electrolytes based on organo-functionalized polyphosphazenes and polysiloxanes. Chemical and electrochemical properties are discussed with respect to the synthesis, the choice of side groups and the goal of obtaining membranes and thin films that combine high ionic conductivity and mechanical stability. Electrochemical stability, concentration polarization and the role of transference numbers are discussed with respect to possible applications in lithium batteries. It is shown that the ionic conductivities of salt-in-polymer membranes without additives and plasticizers are limited to maximum conductivities around 10-4S/cm. Nevertheless, a straightforward strategy based on additives can increase the conductivities to at least 10-3S/cm and maybe further. In this context, the future role of polymers for safe, alternative electrolytes in lithium batteries will benefit from concepts based on polymeric gels, composites and hybrid materials. Presently developed polymer electrolytes with oligoether sidechains are electrochemically stable in the potential range 0–4.5V (vs. Li/Li+ reference).

First and Second Universalities: Expeditions Towards and Beyond

Understanding the mechanisms of translational and localised ionic movements in disordered materials has seen intense activity spanning several decades. This article attempts to convey a concise overview of our contribution to this field over the period from 2005 to 2010 and to place it in its broad context.