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Amici J, Torchio C, Versaci D, Dessantis D, Marchisio A, Caldera F, Bella F, Francia C, Bodoardo S. Nanosponge-Based Composite Gel Polymer Electrolyte for Safer Li-O 2 Batteries. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13101625. [PMID: 34067902 PMCID: PMC8156716 DOI: 10.3390/polym13101625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Li-O2 batteries represent a promising rechargeable battery candidate to answer the energy challenges our world is facing, thanks to their ultrahigh theoretical energy density. However, the poor cycling stability of the Li-O2 system and, overall, important safety issues due to the formation of Li dendrites, combined with the use of organic liquid electrolytes and O2 cross-over, inhibit their practical applications. As a solution to these various issues, we propose a composite gel polymer electrolyte consisting of a highly cross-linked polymer matrix, containing a dextrin-based nanosponge and activated with a liquid electrolyte. The polymer matrix, easily obtained by thermally activated one pot free radical polymerization in bulk, allows to limit dendrite nucleation and growth thanks to its cross-linked structure. At the same time, the nanosponge limits the O2 cross-over and avoids the formation of crystalline domains in the polymer matrix, which, combined with the liquid electrolyte, allows a good ionic conductivity at room temperature. Such a composite gel polymer electrolyte, tested in a cell containing Li metal as anode and a simple commercial gas diffusion layer, without any catalyst, as cathode demonstrates a full capacity of 5.05 mAh cm−2 as well as improved reversibility upon cycling, compared to a cell containing liquid electrolyte.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Amici
- Electrochemistry Group, Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, C.so D.ca degli Abruzzi 24, 10128 Torino, Italy; (C.T.); (D.V.); (D.D.); (A.M.); (F.B.); (C.F.); (S.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Claudia Torchio
- Electrochemistry Group, Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, C.so D.ca degli Abruzzi 24, 10128 Torino, Italy; (C.T.); (D.V.); (D.D.); (A.M.); (F.B.); (C.F.); (S.B.)
| | - Daniele Versaci
- Electrochemistry Group, Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, C.so D.ca degli Abruzzi 24, 10128 Torino, Italy; (C.T.); (D.V.); (D.D.); (A.M.); (F.B.); (C.F.); (S.B.)
| | - Davide Dessantis
- Electrochemistry Group, Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, C.so D.ca degli Abruzzi 24, 10128 Torino, Italy; (C.T.); (D.V.); (D.D.); (A.M.); (F.B.); (C.F.); (S.B.)
| | - Andrea Marchisio
- Electrochemistry Group, Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, C.so D.ca degli Abruzzi 24, 10128 Torino, Italy; (C.T.); (D.V.); (D.D.); (A.M.); (F.B.); (C.F.); (S.B.)
| | - Fabrizio Caldera
- Department of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 7, 10125 Torino, Italy;
| | - Federico Bella
- Electrochemistry Group, Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, C.so D.ca degli Abruzzi 24, 10128 Torino, Italy; (C.T.); (D.V.); (D.D.); (A.M.); (F.B.); (C.F.); (S.B.)
| | - Carlotta Francia
- Electrochemistry Group, Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, C.so D.ca degli Abruzzi 24, 10128 Torino, Italy; (C.T.); (D.V.); (D.D.); (A.M.); (F.B.); (C.F.); (S.B.)
| | - Silvia Bodoardo
- Electrochemistry Group, Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, C.so D.ca degli Abruzzi 24, 10128 Torino, Italy; (C.T.); (D.V.); (D.D.); (A.M.); (F.B.); (C.F.); (S.B.)
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The impact of solvent properties on the performance of oxygen reduction and evolution in mixed tetraglyme-dimethyl sulfoxide electrolytes for Li-O2 batteries: Mechanism and stability. Electrochim Acta 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2017.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Chen C, Li L, Su J, Zhang C, Chen X, Huang T, Yu A. Improving rate capability and reducing over-potential of lithium-oxygen batteries through optimization of Dimethylsulfoxide-N/N-dimethylacetamide mixed electrolyte. Electrochim Acta 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2017.05.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Vankova S, Francia C, Amici J, Zeng J, Bodoardo S, Penazzi N, Collins G, Geaney H, O'Dwyer C. Influence of Binders and Solvents on Stability of Ru/RuO x Nanoparticles on ITO Nanocrystals as Li-O 2 Battery Cathodes. CHEMSUSCHEM 2017; 10:575-586. [PMID: 27899004 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201601301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Fundamental research on Li-O2 batteries remains critical, and the nature of the reactions and stability are paramount for realising the promise of the Li-O2 system. We report that indium tin oxide (ITO) nanocrystals with supported 1-2 nm oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst Ru/RuOx nanoparticles (NPs) demonstrate efficient OER processes, reduce the recharge overpotential of the cell significantly and maintain catalytic activity to promote a consistent cycling discharge potential in Li-O2 cells even when the ITO support nanocrystals deteriorate from the very first cycle. The Ru/RuOx nanoparticles lower the charge overpotential compared with those for ITO and carbon-only cathodes and have the greatest effect in DMSO electrolytes with a solution-processable F-free carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) binder (<3.5 V) instead of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The Ru/RuOx /ITO nanocrystalline materials in DMSO provide efficient Li2 O2 decomposition from within the cathode during cycling. We demonstrate that the ITO is actually unstable from the first cycle and is modified by chemical etching, but the Ru/RuOx NPs remain effective OER catalysts for Li2 O2 during cycling. The CMC binders avoid PVDF-based side-reactions and improve the cyclability. The deterioration of the ITO nanocrystals is mitigated significantly in cathodes with a CMC binder, and the cells show good cycle life. In mixed DMSO-EMITFSI [EMITFSI=1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide] ionic liquid electrolytes, the Ru/RuOx /ITO materials in Li-O2 cells cycle very well and maintain a consistently very low charge overpotential of 0.5-0.8 V.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetoslava Vankova
- Department of Applied Science and Technology (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Torino, Italy
| | - Carlotta Francia
- Department of Applied Science and Technology (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Torino, Italy
| | - Julia Amici
- Department of Applied Science and Technology (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Torino, Italy
| | - Juqin Zeng
- Department of Applied Science and Technology (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Torino, Italy
| | - Silvia Bodoardo
- Department of Applied Science and Technology (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Torino, Italy
| | - Nerino Penazzi
- Department of Applied Science and Technology (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Torino, Italy
| | - Gillian Collins
- Department of Chemistry, University College Cork, Cork, T12 YN60, Ireland
| | - Hugh Geaney
- Department of Chemistry, University College Cork, Cork, T12 YN60, Ireland
| | - Colm O'Dwyer
- Department of Chemistry, University College Cork, Cork, T12 YN60, Ireland
- Micro-Nano Systems Centre, Tyndall National Institute, Lee Maltings, Cork, T12 R5CP, Ireland
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