1
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Miao X, Song C, Hu W, Ren Y, Shen Y, Nan CW. Achieving High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries by Modulating Li + Desolvation Barrier with Liquid Crystal Polymers. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2401473. [PMID: 38663859 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202401473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries offer high theoretical capacity but are hindered by poor rate capability and cycling stability due to sluggish Li2S precipitation kinetics. Here a sulfonate-group-rich liquid crystal polymer (poly-2,2'-disulfonyl-4,4'-benzidine terephthalamide, PBDT) is designed and fabricated to accelerate Li2S precipitation by promoting the desolvation of Li+ from electrolyte. PBDT-modified separators are employed to assemble Li-S batteries, which deliver a remarkable rate capacity (761 mAh g-1 at 4 C) and cycling stability (500 cycles with an average decay rate of 0.088% per cycle at 0.5 C). A PBDT-based pouch cell even delivers an exceptional capacity of ≈1400 mAh g-1 and an areal capacity of ≈11 mAh cm-2 under lean-electrolyte and high-sulfur-loading condition, demonstrating promise for practical applications. Results of Raman spectra, molecular dynamic (MD) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the abundant anionic sulfonate groups of PBDT aid in Li+ desolvation by attenuating Li+-solvent interactions and lowering the desolvation energy barrier. Plus, the polysulfide adsorption/catalysis is also excluded via electrostatic repulsion. This work elucidates the critical impact of Li+ desolvation on Li-S batteries and provides a new design direction for advanced Li-S batteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Miao
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Chenxi Song
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Wei Hu
- Institute for Advanced Materials and Technology, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yaoyu Ren
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yang Shen
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Ce-Wen Nan
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
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2
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Yu D, Min J, Lin F, Madsen LA. Mechanically and Thermally Robust Gel Electrolytes Built from A Charged Double Helical Polymer. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2312513. [PMID: 38288908 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202312513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/16/2024]
Abstract
Polymer electrolytes have received tremendous interest in the development of solid-state batteries, but often fall short in one or more key properties required for practical applications. Herein, a rigid gel polymer electrolyte prepared by immobilizing a liquid mixture of a lithium salt and poly(ethylene glycol) dimethyl ether with only 8 wt% poly(2,2'-disulfonyl-4,4'-benzidine terephthalamide) (PBDT) is reported. The high charge density and rigid double helical structure of PBDT lead to formation of a nanofibrillar structure that endows this electrolyte with stronger mechanical properties, wider temperature window, and higher battery rate capability compared to all other poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based electrolytes. The ion transport mechanism in this rigid polymer electrolyte is systematically studied using multiple complementary techniques. Li/LiFePO4 cells show excellent capacity retention over long-term cycling, with thermal cycling reversibility between ambient temperature and elevated temperatures, demonstrating compelling potential for solid-state batteries targeting fast charging at high temperatures and slower discharging at ambient temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deyang Yu
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Jungki Min
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Feng Lin
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Louis A Madsen
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
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3
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Li K, Wang J, Song Y, Wang Y. Machine learning-guided discovery of ionic polymer electrolytes for lithium metal batteries. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2789. [PMID: 37188717 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38493-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
As essential components of ionic polymer electrolytes (IPEs), ionic liquids (ILs) with high ionic conductivity and wide electrochemical window are promising candidates to enable safe and high-energy-density lithium metal batteries (LMBs). Here, we describe a machine learning workflow embedded with quantum calculation and graph convolutional neural network to discover potential ILs for IPEs. By selecting subsets of the recommended ILs, combining with a rigid-rod polyelectrolyte and a lithium salt, we develop a series of thin (~50 μm) and robust (>200 MPa) IPE membranes. The Li|IPEs|Li cells exhibit ultrahigh critical-current-density (6 mA cm-2) at 80 °C. The Li|IPEs|LiFePO4 (10.3 mg cm-2) cells deliver outstanding capacity retention in 350 cycles (>96% at 0.5C; >80% at 2C), fast charge/discharge capability (146 mAh g-1 at 3C) and excellent efficiency (>99.92%). This performance is rarely reported by other single-layer polymer electrolytes without any flammable organics for LMBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Li
- Department of Macromolecular Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Jifeng Wang
- Department of Macromolecular Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Yuanyuan Song
- Department of Macromolecular Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Macromolecular Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
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4
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Park KS, Xue Z, Patel BB, An H, Kwok JJ, Kafle P, Chen Q, Shukla D, Diao Y. Chiral emergence in multistep hierarchical assembly of achiral conjugated polymers. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2738. [PMID: 35585050 PMCID: PMC9117306 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30420-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Intimately connected to the rule of life, chirality remains a long-time fascination in biology, chemistry, physics and materials science. Chiral structures, e.g., nucleic acid and cholesteric phase developed from chiral molecules are common in nature and synthetic soft materials. While it was recently discovered that achiral but bent-core mesogens can also form chiral helices, the assembly of chiral microstructures from achiral polymers has rarely been explored. Here, we reveal chiral emergence from achiral conjugated polymers, in which hierarchical helical structures are developed through a multistep assembly pathway. Upon increasing concentration beyond a threshold volume fraction, dispersed polymer nanofibers form lyotropic liquid crystalline (LC) mesophases with complex, chiral morphologies. Combining imaging, X-ray and spectroscopy techniques with molecular simulations, we demonstrate that this structural evolution arises from torsional polymer molecules which induce multiscale helical assembly, progressing from nano- to micron scale helical structures as the solution concentration increases. This study unveils a previously unknown complex state of matter for conjugated polymers that can pave way to a field of chiral (opto)electronics. We anticipate that hierarchical chiral helical structures can profoundly impact how conjugated polymers interact with light, transport charges, and transduce signals from biomolecular interactions and even give rise to properties unimagined before.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Sun Park
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Zhengyuan Xue
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Bijal B Patel
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Hyosung An
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1304 W. Green St., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Justin J Kwok
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1304 W. Green St., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Prapti Kafle
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1304 W. Green St., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Diwakar Shukla
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Ying Diao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1304 W. Green St., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
- Beckman Institute, Molecular Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 405 N. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 505 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
- Materials Research Laboratory, The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 104 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
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5
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Xie L, Chan KY, Li VCY. Counterion distribution around a polyelectrolyte confined in a metal–organic framework. MOLECULAR SIMULATION 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/08927022.2022.2068797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Liangxu Xie
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Quantum AI Lab Limited, Hong Kong Science Park, Pak Shek Kok, Hong Kong
| | - Kwong-Yu Chan
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Quantum AI Lab Limited, Hong Kong Science Park, Pak Shek Kok, Hong Kong
| | - Vanessa Chi-Ying Li
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Quantum AI Lab Limited, Hong Kong Science Park, Pak Shek Kok, Hong Kong
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6
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Fox RJ, Hegde M, Cole DP, Moore RB, Picken SJ, Dingemans TJ. High-Strength Liquid Crystal Polymer-Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites from Water. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:16592-16600. [PMID: 35330991 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c00186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We report on the morphology and mechanical properties of nanocomposite films derived from aqueous, hybrid liquid crystalline mixtures of rodlike aggregates of a sulfonated, all-aromatic polyamide, poly(2,2'-disulfonyl-4,4'-benzidine terephthalamide) (PBDT), and graphene oxide (GO) platelets. An isothermal step at 200 °C facilitates in situ partial thermal reduction of GO to reduced GO (rGO) in nanocomposite films. X-ray scattering studies reveal that PBDT-rGO nanocomposites exhibit both higher in-plane alignment of PBDT (the order parameter increases from 0.79 to 0.9 at 1.8 vol % rGO) and alignment along the casting direction (from 0.1 to 0.6 at 1.8 vol % rGO). From dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, the interaction between PBDT and rGO causes the β-relaxation activation energy for PBDT to increase with rGO concentration. Modulus mapping of nanocomposites using atomic force microscopy demonstrates enhanced local stiffness, indicating reinforcement. From stress-strain analysis, the average Young's modulus increases from 16 to 37 GPa at 1.8 vol % rGO and the average tensile strength increases from 210 to 640 MPa. Despite polymer alignment along the casting direction, an average transverse tensile strength of 230 MPa is obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J Fox
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-3050, United States
| | - Maruti Hegde
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-3050, United States
| | - Daniel P Cole
- DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21005, United States
| | - Robert B Moore
- Department of Chemistry, Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Stephen J Picken
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, Delft 2629 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Theo J Dingemans
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-3050, United States
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7
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Wang Y, Zanelotti CJ, Wang X, Kerr R, Jin L, Kan WH, Dingemans TJ, Forsyth M, Madsen LA. Solid-state rigid-rod polymer composite electrolytes with nanocrystalline lithium ion pathways. NATURE MATERIALS 2021; 20:1255-1263. [PMID: 33941912 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-021-00995-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
A critical challenge for next-generation lithium-based batteries lies in development of electrolytes that enable thermal safety along with the use of high-energy-density electrodes. We describe molecular ionic composite electrolytes based on an aligned liquid crystalline polymer combined with ionic liquids and concentrated Li salt. This high strength (200 MPa) and non-flammable solid electrolyte possesses outstanding Li+ conductivity (1 mS cm-1 at 25 °C) and electrochemical stability (5.6 V versus Li|Li+) while suppressing dendrite growth and exhibiting low interfacial resistance (32 Ω cm2) and overpotentials (≤120 mV at 1 mA cm-2) during Li symmetric cell cycling. A heterogeneous salt doping process modifies a locally ordered polymer-ion assembly to incorporate an inter-grain network filled with defective LiFSI and LiBF4 nanocrystals, strongly enhancing Li+ conduction. This modular material fabrication platform shows promise for safe and high-energy-density energy storage and conversion applications, incorporating the fast transport of ceramic-like conductors with the superior flexibility of polymer electrolytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Curt J Zanelotti
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Xiaoen Wang
- Institute for Frontier Materials and ARC Centre of Excellent for Electromaterials Science, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robert Kerr
- Institute for Frontier Materials and ARC Centre of Excellent for Electromaterials Science, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Liyu Jin
- Institute for Frontier Materials and ARC Centre of Excellent for Electromaterials Science, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Wang Hay Kan
- China Spallation Neutron Source, Chinese Academy of Science, Dongguan, China
| | - Theo J Dingemans
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Maria Forsyth
- Institute for Frontier Materials and ARC Centre of Excellent for Electromaterials Science, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Louis A Madsen
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
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8
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Fox RJ, Hegde M, Zanelotti CJ, Kumbhar AS, Samulski ET, Madsen LA, Picken SJ, Dingemans TJ. Irreversible Shear-Activated Gelation of a Liquid Crystalline Polyelectrolyte. ACS Macro Lett 2020; 9:957-963. [PMID: 35648607 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.0c00168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We report irreversible, shear-activated gelation in liquid crystalline solutions of a rigid polyelectrolyte that forms rodlike assemblies (rods) in salt-free solution. At rest, the liquid crystalline solutions are kinetically stable against gelation and exhibit low viscosities. Under steady shear at, or above, a critical shear rate, a physically cross-linked, nematic gel network forms due to linear growth and branching of the rods. Above a critical shear rate, the time scale of gelation can be tuned from hours to nearly instantaneously by varying the shear rate and solution concentration. The shear-activated gels are distinct in their structure and rheological properties from thermoreversible gels. At a fixed concentration, the induction time prior to gelation decreases exponentially with the shear rate. This result indicates that shear-activated thermalization of the electrostatically stabilized rods overcomes the energy barrier for rod-rod contact, enabling rod fusion and subsequent irreversible network formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J Fox
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 121 South Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-3050, United States
| | - Maruti Hegde
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 121 South Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-3050, United States
| | - Curt J Zanelotti
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060, United States
| | - Amar S Kumbhar
- Chapel Hill Analytical and Nanofabrication Laboratory, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 121 South Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-3050, United States
| | - Edward T Samulski
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 121 South Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-3050, United States
| | - Louis A Madsen
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060, United States
| | - Stephen J Picken
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Theo J Dingemans
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 121 South Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-3050, United States
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9
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Fox RJ, Forest MG, Picken SJ, Dingemans TJ. Observation of transition cascades in sheared liquid crystalline polymers. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:3891-3901. [PMID: 32242188 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm00275e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We report on the shear rheology of liquid crystalline solutions composed of charged, rodlike polymers that form supramolecular assemblies dispersed in water. Under steady shear, we observe shear thickening behavior, followed by a hesitation in the viscosity accompanied by an extremely narrow range of negative first normal stress difference. The Peclet number (Pe, shear rate normalized by rod rotational diffusivity) for the onset of shear thickening is in agreement with previous, high-resolution numerical simulations of the Doi-Edwards-Hess kinetic theory. We interrogate these dynamic responses through shear step-down experiments, revealing a complex evolution of transient responses. Detailed analysis of the stress transients provides compelling evidence that the principal axis of the rod orientational distribution, the nematic director, undergoes a cascade of transitions and coexistence of periodic states known as kayaking, tumbling, and wagging, before transitioning to steady flow alignment above a critical shear rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J Fox
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3050, USA.
| | - M Gregory Forest
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3050, USA. and Department of Mathematics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3250, USA
| | - Stephen J Picken
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Theo J Dingemans
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3050, USA.
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10
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Bostwick JE, Zanelotti CJ, Iacob C, Korovich AG, Madsen LA, Colby RH. Ion Transport and Mechanical Properties of Non-Crystallizable Molecular Ionic Composite Electrolytes. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b02125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua E. Bostwick
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Curt J. Zanelotti
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Ciprian Iacob
- National Research and Development Institute for Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies, ICSI, Rm. Valcea 240050, Romania
- Institute of Chemical Technology and Polymer Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Andrew G. Korovich
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Louis A. Madsen
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Ralph H. Colby
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
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11
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Hegde M, Yang L, Vita F, Fox RJ, van de Watering R, Norder B, Lafont U, Francescangeli O, Madsen LA, Picken SJ, Samulski ET, Dingemans TJ. Strong graphene oxide nanocomposites from aqueous hybrid liquid crystals. Nat Commun 2020; 11:830. [PMID: 32047162 PMCID: PMC7012915 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14618-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Combining polymers with small amounts of stiff carbon-based nanofillers such as graphene or graphene oxide is expected to yield low-density nanocomposites with exceptional mechanical properties. However, such nanocomposites have remained elusive because of incompatibilities between fillers and polymers that are further compounded by processing difficulties. Here we report a water-based process to obtain highly reinforced nanocomposite films by simple mixing of two liquid crystalline solutions: a colloidal nematic phase comprised of graphene oxide platelets and a nematic phase formed by a rod-like high-performance aramid. Upon drying the resulting hybrid biaxial nematic phase, we obtain robust, structural nanocomposites reinforced with graphene oxide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maruti Hegde
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Murray Hall, 121 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-3050, USA
- Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Kluyverweg 1, 2629 HS, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Lin Yang
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, 11973, USA
| | - Francesco Vita
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Ingegneria della Materia, dell'Ambiente ed Urbanistica and CNISM, Università Politecnica della Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - Ryan J Fox
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Murray Hall, 121 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-3050, USA
| | - Renee van de Watering
- Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Kluyverweg 1, 2629 HS, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Ben Norder
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Ugo Lafont
- European Space Technology and Research Centre, European Space Agency, Keplerlaan 1, 2201 AZ, Noordwijk, The Netherlands
| | - Oriano Francescangeli
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Ingegneria della Materia, dell'Ambiente ed Urbanistica and CNISM, Università Politecnica della Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - Louis A Madsen
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Stephen J Picken
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Edward T Samulski
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Murray Hall, 121 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-3050, USA
| | - Theo J Dingemans
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Murray Hall, 121 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-3050, USA.
- Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Kluyverweg 1, 2629 HS, Delft, The Netherlands.
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12
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da Silva JS, Carvalho SGM, da Silva RP, Tavares AC, Schade U, Puskar L, Fonseca FC, Matos BR. SAXS signature of the lamellar ordering of ionic domains of perfluorinated sulfonic-acid ionomers by electric and magnetic field-assisted casting. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:13764-13779. [DOI: 10.1039/d0cp01864c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The origins of the matrix and ionomer peaks of Nafion SAXS pattern are revisited.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rodrigo P. da Silva
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares
- IPEN-CNEN/SP
- São Paulo 05508000
- Brazil
| | - Ana C. Tavares
- Énergie
- Matériaux et Télécommunications (INRS-EMT)
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique
- Varennes
- Canada
| | - Ulrich Schade
- Methoden der Materialentwicklung
- Helmholtz-Zentrum für Materialien und Energie GmbH
- Berlin
- Germany
| | - Ljiljana Puskar
- Methoden der Materialentwicklung
- Helmholtz-Zentrum für Materialien und Energie GmbH
- Berlin
- Germany
| | - Fabio C. Fonseca
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares
- IPEN-CNEN/SP
- São Paulo 05508000
- Brazil
| | - Bruno R. Matos
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares
- IPEN-CNEN/SP
- São Paulo 05508000
- Brazil
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13
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Fox RJ, Yu D, Hegde M, Kumbhar AS, Madsen LA, Dingemans TJ. Nanofibrillar Ionic Polymer Composites Enable High-Modulus Ion-Conducting Membranes. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:40551-40563. [PMID: 31507155 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b10921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) with high volume fractions of ionic liquids (IL) and high modulus show promise for enabling next-generation gas separations, and electrochemical energy storage and conversion applications. Herein, we present a conductive polymer-IL composite based on a sulfonated all-aromatic polyamide (sulfo-aramid, PBDT) and a model IL, which we term a PBDT-IL composite. The polymer forms glassy and high-aspect-ratio hierarchical nanofibrils, which enable fabrication of PEMs with both high volume fractions of IL and high elastic modulus. We report direct evidence for nanofibrillar networks that serve as matrices for dispersed ILs using atomic force microscopy and small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering. These supramolecular nanofibrils form through myriad noncovalent interactions to produce a physically cross-linked glassy network, which boasts the best combination of room-temperature modulus (0.1-2 GPa) and ionic conductivity (8-4 mS cm-1) of any polymer-IL electrolyte reported to date. The ultrahigh thermomechanical properties of our PBDT-IL composites provide high moduli (∼1 GPa) at temperatures up to 200 °C, enabling a wide device operation window with stable mechanical properties. Together, the high-performance nature of sulfo-aramids in concert with the inherent properties of ILs imparts PBDT-IL composites with nonflammability and thermal stability up to 350 °C. Thus, nanofibrillar ionic networks based on sulfo-aramids and ILs represent a new design paradigm affording PEMs with exceptionally high moduli at exceedingly low polymer concentrations. This new design strategy will drive the development of new high-performance conductive membranes that can be used for the design of gas separation membranes and in electrochemical applications, such as fuel cells and Li-metal batteries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Deyang Yu
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute , Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , Blacksburg , Virginia 24061 , United States
| | | | | | - Louis A Madsen
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute , Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , Blacksburg , Virginia 24061 , United States
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Grundy LS, Sethi GK, Galluzzo MD, Loo WS, Maslyn JA, Teran AA, Thelen JL, Timachova K, Reimer JA, Madsen LA, Balsara NP. Detection of the Order-to-Disorder Transition in Block Copolymer Electrolytes Using Quadrupolar 7Li NMR Splitting. ACS Macro Lett 2019; 8:107-112. [PMID: 35619416 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.8b00809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The order-to-disorder transition temperature (TODT) in a series of mixtures of polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (SEO) and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) salt is identified by the disappearance of a quadrupolar 7Li NMR triplet peak splitting above a critical temperature, where a singlet is observed. The macroscopic alignment of ordered domains required to produce a quadrupolar splitting occurs due to exposure to the NMR magnetic field. Alignment is confirmed using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The TODT determined by NMR is consistent with that determined using SAXS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Louis A Madsen
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
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Double helical conformation and extreme rigidity in a rodlike polyelectrolyte. Nat Commun 2019; 10:801. [PMID: 30778067 PMCID: PMC6379425 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08756-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitous biomacromolecule DNA has an axial rigidity persistence length of ~50 nm, driven by its elegant double helical structure. While double and multiple helix structures appear widely in nature, only rarely are these found in synthetic non-chiral macromolecules. Here we report a double helical conformation in the densely charged aromatic polyamide poly(2,2′-disulfonyl-4,4′-benzidine terephthalamide) or PBDT. This double helix macromolecule represents one of the most rigid simple molecular structures known, exhibiting an extremely high axial persistence length (~1 micrometer). We present X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations that reveal and confirm the double helical conformation. The discovery of this extreme rigidity in combination with high charge density gives insight into the self-assembly of molecular ionic composites with high mechanical modulus (~ 1 GPa) yet with liquid-like ion motions inside, and provides fodder for formation of other 1D-reinforced composites. Double helix structures appear widely in nature, but only rarely in synthetic non-chiral macromolecules. Here the authors describe a double helix in a densely charged aromatic polyamide, which exhibits an axial rigidity persistence length of ~ 1 μm, much higher than that of DNA (~ 50 nm).
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Takahashi R, Ikai T, Kurokawa T, King DR, Gong JP. Double network hydrogels based on semi-rigid polyelectrolyte physical networks. J Mater Chem B 2019; 7:6347-6354. [DOI: 10.1039/c9tb01217f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Double network hydrogels are formulated from polyacrylamide hydrogels containing semi-rigid polyelectrolytes through post-polymerization immersion in multi-valent ion solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riku Takahashi
- Graduate School of Life Science
- Hokkaido University
- Sapporo 001-0021
- Japan
| | - Takuma Ikai
- Graduate School of Life Science
- Hokkaido University
- Sapporo 001-0021
- Japan
| | - Takayuki Kurokawa
- Faculty of Advanced Life Science
- Hokkaido University
- Sapporo 001-0021
- Japan
- Global Station for Soft Matter
| | - Daniel R. King
- Faculty of Advanced Life Science
- Hokkaido University
- Sapporo 001-0021
- Japan
- Global Station for Soft Matter
| | - Jian Ping Gong
- Faculty of Advanced Life Science
- Hokkaido University
- Sapporo 001-0021
- Japan
- Global Station for Soft Matter
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Zhao C, Zhang C, Kang H, Xia Y, Sui K, Liu R. Gelation of Na-alginate aqueous solution: A study of sodium ion dynamics via NMR relaxometry. Carbohydr Polym 2017; 169:206-212. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.03.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Revised: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Yu Z, He Y, Wang Y, Madsen LA, Qiao R. Molecular Structure and Dynamics of Ionic Liquids in a Rigid-Rod Polyanion-Based Ion Gel. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2017; 33:322-331. [PMID: 27997204 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.6b03798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The recent fabrication of liquid crystalline ion gels featuring rigid-rod polyanions aligned within room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) opens up exciting new avenues for engineering ion conducting materials. These gels exhibit an unusual combination of properties including high ionic conductivity, distinct transport anisotropy, and widely tunable elastic modulus. Using molecular simulations, we study the structure and dynamics of the ions in an ion gel consisting of rigid-rod polyanions and [C2mim][TfO] RTILs. We show that the ion distribution in the interstitial space between polymer rods exhibits the hallmarks of the RTIL structure near charged surfaces; i.e., cations (C2mim+) and anions (TfO-) form alternating layers around the polymer rods and the charge on the rod is overscreened by the ionic layer surrounding it. The distinct ordering of ions suggests the formation of a long-range "electrostatic network" in the ion gel, which may contribute to its mechanical cohesion and high modulus. The dynamics of both C2mim+ and TfO- ions slow down due to the fact that some C2mim+ ions become associated with the sulfonate groups of the polymer rod on nanosecond time scales, which hinders the dynamics of all ions in the gel. C2mim+ and TfO- ion diffusion in the gel are only 2-10 times slower than in bulk RTILs, which is still much faster than, e.g., Li ions in typical ion conducting polymers. This fast ion transport combined with strong mechanical cohesion open up exciting opportunities for application of these gels in electrochemical devices including Li-metal batteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Yu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and ‡Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech , Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Yadong He
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and ‡Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech , Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and ‡Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech , Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Louis A Madsen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and ‡Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech , Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Rui Qiao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and ‡Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech , Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
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Iakobson OD, Gribkova OL, Nekrasov AA, Vannikov AV. The effect of counterion in polymer sulfonates on the synthesis and properties of poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene. RUSS J ELECTROCHEM+ 2016. [DOI: 10.1134/s1023193516120132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Wang Y, Chen Y, Gao J, Yoon HG, Jin L, Forsyth M, Dingemans TJ, Madsen LA. Highly Conductive and Thermally Stable Ion Gels with Tunable Anisotropy and Modulus. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2016; 28:2571-8. [PMID: 26822386 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201505183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Revised: 12/20/2015] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
A new liquid-crystalline ion gel exhibits unprecedented properties: conductivity up to 8 mS cm(-1) , thermal stability to 300 °C, and electrochemical window to 6.1 V, as well as adjustable transport anisotropy (up to 3.5×) and elastic modulus (0.03-3 GPa). The combination of ionic liquid and magnetically oriented rigid-rod polyanion provides widely tunable properties for use in diverse electrochemical devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules and Interfaces Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules and Interfaces Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Jianwei Gao
- Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Kluyverweg 1, 2629 HS, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Hyun Gook Yoon
- Institute for Frontier Materials and ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
| | - Liyu Jin
- Institute for Frontier Materials and ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
| | - Maria Forsyth
- Institute for Frontier Materials and ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
| | - Theo J Dingemans
- Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Kluyverweg 1, 2629 HS, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Louis A Madsen
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules and Interfaces Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
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