Single-ion triblock copolymer electrolytes based on poly(ethylene oxide) and methacrylic sulfonamide blocks for lithium metal batteries

Authors

L. Porcarelli, M.A. Aboudzadeh, L. Rubatat, J.R. Nair, A.S. Shaplov, C.  Gerbaldi, and D. Mecerreyes

Reference

Journal of Power Sources, vol. 364, pp. 191-199, 2017

Description

Single-ion conducting polymer electrolytes represent the ideal solution to reduce concentration polarization in lithium metal batteries (LMBs). This paper reports on the synthesis and characterization of single-ion ABA triblock copolymer electrolytes comprising PEO and poly(lithium 1-[3-(methacryloyloxy)propylsulfonyl]-1-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide) blocks, poly(LiMTFSI). Block copolymers are prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization, showing low glass transition temperature (−55 to 7 °C) and degree of crystallinity (51–0%). Comparatively high values of ionic conductivity are obtained (up to ≈ 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 70 °C), combined with a lithium-ion transference number close to unity (tLi+ ≈ 0.91) and a 4 V electrochemical stability window. In addition to these promising features, solid polymer electrolytes are successfully tested in lithium metal cells at 70 °C providing long lifetime up to 300 cycles, and stable charge/discharge cycling at C/2 (≈100 mAh g⁻¹).

Link

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.08.023