Taichi-inspired rigid-flexible coupling cellulose-supported solid polymer electrolyte for high-performance lithium batteries

Cellulose-Based Materials and Their Application in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are promising candidates for next-generation energy storage due to their high energy density, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness. However, their commercialization is hindered by challenges, such as the polysulfide shuttle effect, lithium dendrite growth, and low electrical conductivity of sulfur cathodes. Cellulose, a natural, renewable, and versatile biopolymer, has emerged as a multifunctional material to address these issues. In anode protection, cellulose-based composites and coatings mitigate dendrite formation and improve lithium-ion diffusion, extending cycle life and enhancing safety. As separators, cellulose materials exhibit high ionic conductivity, thermal stability, and excellent wettability, effectively suppressing the polysulfide shuttle effect and maintaining electrolyte stability. For the cathode, cellulose-derived carbon frameworks and binders improve sulfur loading, conductivity, and active material retention, resulting in higher energy density and cycling stability. This review highlights the diverse roles of cellulose in Li-S batteries, emphasizing its potential to enable sustainable and high-performance energy storage. The integration of cellulose into Li-S systems not only enhances electrochemical performance but also aligns with the goals of green energy technologies. Further advancements in cellulose processing and functionalization could pave the way for its broader application in next-generation battery systems.

Evolution of Copolymers of Epoxides and CO2: Catalysts, Monomers, Architectures, and Applications

The copolymerization of CO2 and epoxides presents a transformative approach to converting greenhouse gases into aliphatic polycarbonates (CO2-PCs), thereby reducing the polymer industry's dependence on fossil resources. Over the past 50 years, a wide array of metallic catalysts, both heterogeneous and homogeneous, have been developed to achieve precise control over polymer selectivity, sequence, regio-, and stereoselectivity. This review details the evolution of metal-based catalysts, with a particular focus on the emergence of organoborane catalysts, and explores how these catalysts effectively address kinetic and thermodynamic challenges in CO2/epoxides copoly2merization. Advances in the synthesis of CO2-PCs with varied sequence and chain architectures through diverse polymerization protocols are examined, alongside the applications of functional CO2-PCs produced by incorporating different epoxides. The review also underscores the contributions of computational techniques to our understanding of copolymerization mechanisms and highlights recent advances in the closed-loop chemical recycling of CO2-sourced polycarbonates. Finally, the industrialization efforts of CO2-PCs are discussed, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of the evolution and future potential of epoxide copolymerization with CO2.

Progress of Polymer Electrolytes Worked in Solid-State Lithium Batteries for Wide-Temperature Application

Solid-state Li-ion batteries have emerged as the most promising next-generation energy storage systems, offering theoretical advantages such as superior safety and higher energy density. However, polymer-based solid-state Li-ion batteries face challenges across wide temperature ranges. The primary issue lies in the fact that most polymer electrolytes exhibit relatively low ionic conductivity at or below room temperature. This sensitivity to temperature variations poses challenges in operating solid-state lithium batteries at sub-zero temperatures. Moreover, elevated working temperatures lead to polymer shrinkage and deformation, ultimately resulting in battery failure. To address this challenge of polymer-based solid-state batteries, this review presents an overview of various promising polymer electrolyte systems. The review provides insights into the temperature-dependent physical and electrochemical properties of polymers, aiming to expand the temperature range of operation. The review also further summarizes modification strategies for polymer electrolytes suited to diverse temperatures. The final section summarizes the performance of various polymer-based solid-state batteries at different temperatures. Valuable insights and potential future research directions for designing wide-temperature polymer electrolytes are presented based on the differences in battery performance. This information is intended to inspire practical applications of wide-temperature polymer-based solid-state batteries.

Revolutionizing energy storage: exploring the nanoscale frontier of all-solid-state batteries

Due to their distinctive security characteristics, all-solid-state batteries are seen as a potential technology for the upcoming era of energy storage. The flexibility of nanomaterials shows enormous potential for the advancement of all-solid-state batteries' exceptional power and energy storage capacities. These batteries might be applied in many areas such as large-scale energy storage for power grids, as well as in the creation of foldable and flexible electronics, and portable gadgets. The most difficult aspect of creating a comprehensive nanoscale all-solid-state battery assembly is the task of decreasing the particle size of the solid electrolyte while maintaining its excellent ionic conductivity. Materials possessing nanoscale structural features and a substantial electrochemically active surface area have the potential to significantly enhance power characteristics and the cycle life. This might bring about substantial changes to existing energy storage models. The primary objective of this research is to summarize the latest advancements in utilizing nanomaterials for energy harvesting in various all-solid-state battery assemblies. This study examines the most complex solid-solid interfaces of all-solid-state batteries, as well as feasible methods for implementing nanomaterials in such interfaces. Currently, there is significant attention on the necessity to develop electrode-solid electrolyte interfaces that exhibit nanoscale particle articulation and other characteristics related to the behavior of lithium ions.

PEO-Based Solid Composite Polymer Electrolyte for High Capacity Retention All-Solid-State Lithium Metal Battery

The limited ionic conductivity at room temperature and the constrained electrochemical window of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) pose significant obstacles that hinder its broader utilization in high-energy-density lithium metal batteries. The garnet-type material Li6.4 La3 Zr1.4 Ta0.6 O12 (LLZTO) is recognized as a highly promising active filler for enhancing the performance of PEO-based solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs). However, its performance is still limited by its high interfacial resistance. In this study, a novel hybrid filler-designed SPE is employed to achieve excellent electrochemical performance for both the lithium metal anode and the LiFePO4 cathode. The solid composite membrane containing hybrid fillers achieves a maximum ionic conductivity of 1.9 × 10-4 S cm-1 and a Li+ transference number of 0.67 at 40 °C, respectively. Additionally, the Li/Li symmetric cells demonstrate a smooth and stable process for 2000 h at a current density of 0.1 mA cm-2 . Furthermore, the LiFePO4 /Li battery delivers a high-rate capacity of 159.2 mAh g-1 at 1 C, along with a capacity retention of 95.2% after 400 cycles. These results validate that employing a composite of both active and inactive fillers is an effective strategy for achieving superior performance in all-solid-state lithium metal batteries (ASSLMBs).

Toward robust solid-state lithium metal batteries by stabilizing a polyethylene oxide-based solid electrolyte interface with a biomass polymer filler

Achieving all-solid-state lithium-based batteries with high energy densities requires lightweight and ultrathin solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) with high Li+ conductivity, but this still poses significant challenges. Herein, we designed a robust and mechanically flexible SSE (denoted BC-PEO/LiTFSI) by using an environmentally friendly and low-cost approach that involves bacterial cellulose (BC) as a three-dimensional (3D) rigid backbone. In this design, BC-PEO/LiTFSI is tightly integrated and polymerized through intermolecular hydrogen bonding, and the rich oxygen-containing functional groups from the BC filler also provide the active site for Li+ hopping transport. Therefore, the all-solid-state Li-Li symmetric cell with BC-PEO/LiTFSI (containing 3% BC) showed excellent electrochemical cycling properties over 1000 h at a current density of 0.5 mA cm-2. Furthermore, the Li-LiFePO4 full cell showed steady cycling performance under 3 mg cm-2 areal loading at a current of 0.1 C, and the resultant Li-S full cell maintained over 610 mAh g-1 for upward of 300 cycles at 0.2 C and 60 °C.

Natural Pyranosyl Materials: Potential Applications in Solid-State Batteries

Solid-state batteries have become one of the hottest research areas today, due to the use of solid-state electrolytes enabling the high safety and energy density. Because of the interaction with electrolyte salts and the abundant ion transport sites, natural polysaccharide polymers with rich functional groups such as -OH, -OR or -COO^- etc. have been applied in solid-state electrolytes and have the merits of possibly high ionic conductivity and sustainability. This review summarizes the recent progress of natural polysaccharides and derivatives for polymer electrolytes, which will stimulate further interest in the application of polysaccharides for solid-state batteries.

Cellulose nanofiber-reinforced solid polymer electrolytes with high ionic conductivity for lithium batteries

Lithium-metal electrodes are promising for developing next-generation lithium-based batteries with high energy densities. However, their implementation is severely limited by dendritic growth during battery cycling, which eventually short-circuits the battery. Replacing conventional liquid electrolytes with solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) can suppress dendritic growth. Unfortunately, in SPEs the high stiffness required for suppressing dendrites comes at the expense of efficient lithium-ion transport. Some polymer-based composite electrolytes, however, enable the decoupling of stiffness and ionic conductivity. This study introduces a composite SPE comprised of a relatively soft poly(ethylene oxide-co-epichlorohydrin) (EO-co-EPI) statistical copolymer with high ionic conductivity and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), a filler with extraordinary stiffness sourced from abundant cellulose. CNF-reinforcement of EO-co-EPI increases the storage modulus up to three orders of magnitude while essentially maintaining the SPE's high ionic conductivity. The composite SPE exhibits good cycling ability and electrochemical stability, demonstrating its utility in lithium metal batteries.

Ionic Conduction in Polymer-Based Solid Electrolytes

Good safety, high interfacial compatibility, low cost, and facile processability make polymer-based solid electrolytes promising materials for next-generation batteries. Key issues related to polymer-based solid electrolytes, such as synthesis methods, ionic conductivity, and battery architecture, are investigated in past decades. However, mechanistic understanding of the ionic conduction is still lacking, which impedes the design and optimization of polymer-based solid electrolytes. In this review, the ionic conduction mechanisms and optimization strategies of polymer-based solid electrolytes, including solvent-free polymer electrolytes, composite polymer electrolytes, and quasi-solid/gel polymer electrolytes, are summarized and evaluated. Challenges and strategies for enhancing the ionic conductivity are elaborated, while the ion-pair dissociation, ion mobility, polymer relaxation, and interactions at polymer/filler interfaces are highlighted. This comprehensive review is especially pertinent for the targeted enhancement of the Li-ion conductivity of polymer-based solid electrolytes.

In Situ Polymerization Permeated Three-Dimensional Li+-Percolated Porous Oxide Ceramic Framework Boosting All Solid-State Lithium Metal Battery

Solid-state lithium battery promises highly safe electrochemical energy storage. Conductivity of solid electrolyte and compatibility of electrolyte/electrode interface are two keys to dominate the electrochemical performance of all solid-state battery. By in situ polymerizing poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate within self-supported three-dimensional porous Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 framework, the as-assembled solid-state battery employing 4.5 V LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 cathode and Li metal anode demonstrates a high Coulombic efficiency exceeding 99% at room temperature. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance results reveal that Li+ migrates fast along the continuous Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 phase and Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3/polymer interfacial phase to generate a fantastic conductivity of 2.0 × 10-4 S cm-1 at room temperature, which is 56 times higher than that of pristine poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate. Meanwhile, the in situ polymerized poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate can not only integrate the loose interfacial contact but also protect Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 from being reduced by lithium metal. As a consequence of the compatible solid-solid contact, the interfacial resistance decreases significantly by a factor of 40 times, resolving the notorious interfacial issue effectively. The integrated strategy proposed by this work can thereby guide both the preparation of highly conductive solid electrolyte and compatible interface design to boost practical high energy density all solid-state lithium metal battery.

Ultraviolet-Cured Semi-Interpenetrating Network Polymer Electrolytes for High-Performance Quasi-Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries

Solid polymer electrolytes with relatively low ionic conductivity at room temperature and poor mechanical strength greatly restrict their practical applications. Herein, we design semi-interpenetrating network polymer (SNP) electrolyte composed of an ultraviolet-crosslinked polymer network (ethoxylated trimethylolpropane triacrylate), linear polymer chains (polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) and lithium salt solution to satisfy the demand of high ionic conductivity, good mechanical flexibility, and electrochemical stability for lithium metal batteries. The semi-interpenetrating network has a pivotal effect in improving chain relaxation, facilitating the local segmental motion of polymer chains and reducing the polymer crystallinity. Thanks to these advantages, the SNP electrolyte shows a high ionic conductivity (1.12 mS cm^-1 at 30 °C), wide electrochemical stability window (4.6 V vs. Li⁺ /Li), good bendability and shape versatility. The promoted ion transport combined with suppressed impedance growth during cycling contribute to good cell performance. The assembled quasi-solid-state lithium metal batteries (LiFePO₄ /SNP/Li) exhibit good cycling stability and rate capability at room temperature.

High ionic conduction, toughness and self-healing poly(ionic liquid)-based electrolytes enabled by synergy between flexible units and counteranions

Polymer electrolytes offer great potential for emerging wearable electronics. However, the development of a polymer electrolyte that has high ionic conductivity, stretchability and security simultaneously is still a considerable challenge. Herein, we reported an effective approach for fabricating high-performance poly(ionic liquids) (PILs) copolymer (denoted as PIL-BA) electrolytes by the interaction between flexible units (butyl acrylate) and counteranions. The introduction of butyl acrylate units and bis(trifluoromethane-sulfonyl)imide (TFSI⁻) counteranions can significantly enhance the mobility of polymer chains, resulting in the effective improvement of ion transport, toughness and self-healability. As a result, the PIL-BA copolymer-based electrolytes containing TFSI⁻ counterions achieved the highest ionic conductivity of 2.71 ± 0.17 mS cm⁻¹, 1129% of that of a PIL homopolymer electrolyte containing Cl⁻ counterions. Moreover, the PIL-BA copolymer-based electrolytes also exhibit ultrahigh tensile strain of 1762% and good self-healable capability. Such multifunctional polymer electrolytes can potentially be applied for safe and stable wearable electronics.

Polymer electrolytes offer great potential for emerging wearable electronics.

A Novel Silicon/Phosphorus Co-Flame Retardant Polymer Electrolyte for High-Safety All-Solid-State Lithium Ion Batteries

Developing a solid polymer electrolyte with superior flame retardancy and lithium-ion transportation properties is still a challenge. Herein, an intrinsic silicon/phosphorus co-flame retardant polymer solid electrolyte was prepared by using polyethylene glycol (PEG) co-polymerized with silicon and phosphorus-containing monomers. Due to the synergistic flame-retardant effect of silicon and phosphorus elements, this polymer electrolyte exhibits excellent thermal stability and flame resistance. Moreover, the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte at 25 °C is as high as 2.98 × 10-5 S/cm when the mass ratio of LiN(SO2CF3)2 (LiTFSI) and the prepared polymer electrolyte is 10:1. What is more, the LiFePO4/Li all-solid-state battery assembled with this solid electrolyte can work stably at a high temperature of 60 °C and exhibits a specific capacity of 129.2 mAh/g at 0.2 C after 100 cycles, providing a promising application prospect for high-safety lithium-ion batteries.

Three-Dimensional Porous Alginate Fiber Membrane Reinforced PEO-Based Solid Polymer Electrolyte for Safe and High-Performance Lithium Ion Batteries

The rational design and optimization of solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are critical for the application of safety and high efficiency lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, we synthesized a novel poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based SPE (PEO@AF SPE) with a cross-linking network by the introduction of alginate fiber (AF) membranes. Depending on the high-strength supporting AF skeleton and the cross-linking network formed by hydrogen bonds between the PEO matrix and AF skeleton, the obtained PEO@AF SPE exhibits an excellent tensile strength of 3.71 MPa, favorable heat resistance (close to 120 °C), and wide electrochemical stability window (5.2 V vs Li/Li⁺). Meanwhile, the abundant oxygen-containing groups in alginate macromolecular and the three-dimensional (3D) porous structure of the AF membrane can greatly increase Li⁺ anchor points and provide more Li⁺ migration pathways, leading to the enhancement of Li⁺ conduction and interfacial stability between the SPE and Li anode. Furthermore, the assembled LiFePO₄/PEO@AF SPE/Li cells also exhibit satisfactory electrochemical performance. These results reveal that PEO incorporating with AFs can boost the mechanical strength, thermostability, and electrochemical properties of the SPE simultaneously. Furthermore, one will expect that the newly designed PEO@AF SPE with cross-linked networks thus provides the possibility for future applications of safety and high-performance LIBs.

Thiol-Branched Solid Polymer Electrolyte Featuring High Strength, Toughness, and Lithium Ionic Conductivity for Lithium-Metal Batteries

Lithium-metal batteries (LMBs) with high energy densities are highly desirable for energy storage, but generally suffer from dendrite growth and side reactions in liquid electrolytes; thus the need for solid electrolytes with high mechanical strength, ionic conductivity, and compatible interface arises. Herein, a thiol-branched solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) is introduced featuring high Li⁺ conductivity (2.26 × 10^-4 S cm^-1 at room temperature) and good mechanical strength (9.4 MPa)/toughness (≈500%), thus unblocking the tradeoff between ionic conductivity and mechanical robustness in polymer electrolytes. The SPE (denoted as M-S-PEGDA) is fabricated by covalently cross-linking metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), tetrakis (3-mercaptopropionic acid) pentaerythritol (PETMP), and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) via multiple CSC bonds. The SPE also exhibits a high electrochemical window (>5.4 V), low interfacial impedance (<550 Ω), and impressive Li⁺ transference number (t_Li+ = 0.44). As a result, Li||Li symmetrical cells with the thiol-branched SPE displayed a high stability in a >1300 h cycling test. Moreover, a Li|M-S-PEGDA|LiFePO₄ full cell demonstrates discharge capacity of 143.7 mAh g^-1 and maintains 85.6% after 500 cycles at 0.5 C, displaying one of the most outstanding performances for SPEs to date.

Properties enhancement of carboxymethyl cellulose with thermo-responsive polymer as solid polymer electrolyte for zinc ion battery

A novel polymer host from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNiPAM) was developed for a high safety solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) in a zinc ion battery. Effects of the PNiPAM loading level in the range of 0-40% by weight ( wt%) on the chemical, mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of the CMC/PNiPAMx films (where x is the wt% of PNiPAM) were symmetrically investigated. The obtained CMC/PNiPAMx films showed a high compatibility between the polymers. The CMC/PNiPAM20 blend showed the greatest tensile strength and modulus at 37.9 MPa and 2.1 GPa, respectively. Moreover, the thermal degradation of CMC was retarded by the addition of PNiPAM. Scanning electron microscopy images of CMC/PNiPAM20 revealed a porous structure that likely supported Zn2+ movement in the SPEs containing zinc triflate, resulting in the high Zn2+ ion transference number (0.56) and ionic conductivity (1.68 × 10-4 S cm-1). Interestingly, the presence of PNiPAM in the CMC/PNiPAMx blends showed a greater stability during charge-discharge cyclic tests, indicating the ability of PNiPAM to suppress dendrite formation from causing a short circuit. The developed CMC/PNiPAM20 based SPE is a promising material for high ionic conductivity and stability in a Zn ion battery.

Rational Design of Ion Transport Paths at the Interface of Metal-Organic Framework Modified Solid Electrolyte

Solid-state lithium batteries have attracted great attention owing to their potential advantages in safety and energy density. Among various solid electrolytes, solid polymer electrolyte is promising due to its good viscoelasticity, lightweight, and low-cost processing. However, key issues of solid polymer electrolyte include poor ionic conductivity and low Li⁺ transference number, which limit its practical application. Herein, a new-type of ultraviolet cross-linked composite solid electrolyte (C-CSE), composed of ZIF-based ionic conductor (named ZIL) and polymer, is designed with enhanced ion transport. The ZIL is composed of ZIF-8 and ionic liquid, which can provide C-CSE with fast ion transport paths. Moreover, the proper pore size of ZIF-8 can restrict the migration of embedded ionic liquid and thus construct a solid-liquid transport interface between polymer chains and ZIF-8, which could achieve fast ion transport. In addition, ultraviolet irradiation can decrease the crystallization of C-CSE and thus increase the amorphous region. Consequently, the C-CSE show excellent electrochemical performance including high ionic conductivity of 0.426 mS cm^-1 at 30 °C, high Li⁺ transference number of 0.67, and good Li|Li compatibility cycle over 1040 h. Experimental and computational results indicate that diffusion energy barrier of Li⁺ through ZIF-8 is smaller than that of polymer chains, which reveals a new Li⁺ transport mechanism between polymer chains and ZIL, from "chain-chain-chain" to "chain-ZIL-chain". This work demonstrates rational design of ion transport paths at the interface of solid electrolyte could facilitate the development of solid-state lithium batteries as a promising novel strategy.

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane with High Ionic Conductivity and Enhanced Interfacial Stability for Lithium Metal Battery

Solid polymer electrolyte is one of the best choices to improve the safety of lithium metal batteries (LMBs). However, its widespread application is hindered because of the low ionic conductivity at room temperature and large interfacial resistance. Here, a cross-linked polymer is synthesized with an unsaturated polyester and used as a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM). The PEM has a high ionic conductivity (1.99 × 10^-3 S cm^-1 at 30 °C) and a low glass transition temperature (-54.2 °C), contributing to decreasing interfacial resistance, promoting more uniform Li deposition, and suppressing Li dendrite penetration. The PEM also has a wide electrochemical stable window (∼4.6 V) and superior thermal stability (>150 °C), showing high potential in LMBs. The LiFePO₄-Li coin cells and pouch pack batteries with PEM present very stable cycle performance and high safety, indicating that the PEM can be a promising candidate for future solid-state LMBs.

Asymmetric Structure Design of Electrolytes with Flexibility and Lithium Dendrite-Suppression Ability for Solid-State Lithium Batteries

Solid polymer electrolytes can be used to construct solid-state lithium batteries (SSLBs) using lithium metals as the anode. However, the lifespan and safety problems of SSLBs caused by lithium dendrite growth have hindered their practical application. Here, we have designed and prepared a rigid-flexible asymmetric solid electrolyte (ASE) that is used in building SSLBs. The ASE can inhibit efficiently the growth of lithium dendrites and lead to a long cycle life of SSLBs due to the hierarchical structure of a combination of "polymer-in-ceramic" (i.e., rigid ceramic layer of Li_6.4La₃Zr_1.4Ta_0.6O₁₂) and "LiBOB-in-polymer" (i.e., soft polymer-layer of polyethylene oxide and LiBOB components). The results demonstrated that a symmetrical battery with ASE (Li|ASE|Li) can be steadily cycled for more than 2000 h and yielded a flat plating/stripping voltage profile under a current density of 0.1 mA cm^-2. As a consequence, the SSLB of LiFePO₄|ASE|Li delivered a specific capacity of 155.1 mA h g^-1 with a capacity retention rate up to 90.2% after 200 cycles with the Coulombic efficiency over 99.6% per cycle. This asymmetric structure combines the advantages of ceramics and polymers, providing an ingenious solution for building rigid and flexible solid electrolytes.

Review on Polymer-Based Composite Electrolytes for Lithium Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries have dominated the high performance and mobile market for last decade. Despite their dominance in many areas, the development of current commercial lithium-ion batteries is experiencing bottlenecks, limited by safety risks such as: leakage, burning, and even explosions due to the low-boiling point organic liquid electrolytes. Solid electrolyte is a promising option to solve or mitigate those issues. Among all solid electrolytes, polymer based solid electrolytes have the advantages of low flammability, good flexibility, excellent thermal stability, and high safety. Numerous researchers have focused on implementing solid polymer based Li-ion batteries with high performance. Nevertheless, low Li-ion conductivity and poor mechanical properties are still the main challenges in its commercial development. In order to tackle the issues and improve the overall performance, composites with external particles are widely investigated to form a polymer-based composite electrolyte. In light of their work, this review discusses the progress of polymer-based composite lithium ion's solid electrolytes. In particular, the structures, ionic conductivities, electrochemical/chemical stabilities, and fabrications of solid polymer electrolytes are introduced in the text and summarized at the end. On the basis of previous work, the perspectives of solid polymer electrolytes are provided especially toward the future of lithium ion batteries.

Nanohybrid electrolytes for high-energy lithium-ion batteries: recent advances and future challenges

Next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) will have a two to three times increase in energy density compared to today's technology due to the adoption of new cathode and anode materials. In addition, their safety properties need to be further enhanced to allow large-scale applications. In this context, new electrolytes with high lithium-ion (Li⁺) conductivity as well as good stability should be developed. Recently, there has been a growing interest in developing nanohybrid electrolytes. By combining organic (polymers, ionic liquids) and/or inorganic (Li⁺-conductive ceramics and glasses) functional constituents, a broad range of nanohybrid electrolytes with interesting chemical, mechanical and electrochemical properties have been designed and evaluated in different cell chemistry. This article aims to conduct a comprehensive review on the development of nanohybrid electrolytes in recent years (2012 to present). Specifically, we summarize and analyze the recent progress of gel-, inorganic- and polymer-based nanohybrid electrolytes with enhanced physicochemical properties and specified functionalities for their application in LIBs. Challenges and perspectives for future development of better nanohybrid LIB electrolytes are also discussed.

A single-ion conducting hyperbranched polymer as a high performance solid-state electrolyte for lithium ion batteries

“Crown-PEG”-assisted Li⁺ migration in a hyperbranched single-ion polyelectrolyte.

Can Long-Term Regular Practice of Physical Exercises Including Taichi Improve Finger Tapping of Patients Presenting With Mild Cognitive Impairment?

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a brain disease with both anatomical and functional alterations. There is clear evidence that individuals that are diagnosed with MCI have a high risk to develop dementia in the next 2–5 years compared to an age-matched population with a non-MCI diagnosis. The present study aimed to investigate whether the finger tapping frequency of patients with MCI was different from that of healthy individuals without MCI, and whether Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese movement discipline, could improve the finger tapping frequency of MCI patients.

Methods: The study population consisted of subjects of ≥50 years of age. Group one included 40 subjects without exercise habits from communities of Yangpu District in Shanghai, and group two included 60 subjects from a Tai Chi class in Shanghai Elderly University of Huangpu District. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and a finger tapping test were conducted to assess the finger tapping frequency of all subjects.

Results: The MoCA score of MCI subjects was significantly lower compared to subjects without MCI (P < 0.01), and was not influenced by age, weight, or height. The finger tapping frequency of MCI subjects’ left hands was significantly lower compared to that of healthy subjects without MCI (P < 0.01), and a similar trend was observed for the subjects’ right hand. The MoCA score of MCI subjects in the Tai Chi class was significantly lower than that of healthy subjects without MCI (P < 0.01), which was not influenced by age, weight or height. The finger tapping frequency of MCI subjects’ right hands was lower compared to that of healthy subjects in the Tai Chi class without MCI (P < 0.05), but no significant difference regarding the finger tapping frequency of the left hand was observed.

Conclusion: These findings suggested that finger tapping frequency of MCI subjects was significantly lower compared to normal subjects without MCI, and long-term Tai Chi exercise could reduce this significant difference. Moreover, there was no significant difference between groups for the subjects’ non-dominant (left) hand.

Aliphatic Polycarbonate-Based Solid-State Polymer Electrolytes for Advanced Lithium Batteries: Advances and Perspective

Conventional liquid electrolytes based lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) might suffer from serious safety hazards. Solid-state polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are very promising candidate with high security for advanced LIBs. However, the quintessential frailties of pristine polyethylene oxide/lithium salts SPEs are poor ionic conductivity (≈10^-8 S cm^-1 ) at 25 °C and narrow electrochemical window (<4 V). Many innovative researches are carried out to enhance their lithium-ion conductivity (10^-4 S cm^-1 at 25 °C), which is still far from meeting the needs of high-performance power LIBs at ambient temperature. Therefore, it is a pressing urgency of exploring novel polymer host materials for advanced SPEs aimed to develop high-performance solid lithium batteries. Aliphatic polycarbonate, an emerging and promising solid polymer electrolyte, has attracted much attention of academia and industry. The amorphous structure, flexible chain segments, and high dielectric constant endow this class of polymer electrolyte excellent comprehensive performance especially in ionic conductivity, electrochemical stability, and thermally dimensional stability. To date, many types of aliphatic polycarbonate solid polymer electrolyte are discovered. Herein, the latest developments on aliphatic polycarbonate SPEs for solid-state lithium batteries are summarized. Finally, main challenges and perspective of aliphatic polycarbonate solid polymer electrolytes are illustrated at the end of this review.

A Water Dissolvable Electrolyte with an Ionic Liquid for Eco-Friendly Electronics

A water-dissolvable electrolyte is developed by combining an ionic liquid (IL) with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), which decays over time by contact with water. An IL generally consists of two species of ions (anion and cation), and forms an electrical double layer (EDL) of a large electrostatic capacitance due to the ions accumulated in the vicinity of a conductive electrode when voltage is applied. In a similar manner, the ionic gel developed in this work forms an EDL due to the ions suspended in the conjugated polymer network while maintaining the gel form. Test measurements show a large capacitance of 13 µF cm^-2 within the potential window of the IL. The ionic gel shows an electrical conductance of 20 µS cm^-1 due to the ionic conduction, which depends on the weight ratio of the IL with respect to the polymer. The developed ionic gel dissolves into water in 16 h. Potential application includes the electrolyte in disposable electronics such as distributed sensors and energy harvesters that are supposed to be harmless to environment.

Reviving lithium cobalt oxide-based lithium secondary batteries-toward a higher energy density

This review summarizes the key challenges, effective modification strategies and perspectives regarding reviving lithium cobalt oxide-based lithium secondary batteries-toward a higher energy density.

An enhanced electrochemical and cycling properties of novel boronic Ionic liquid based ternary gel polymer electrolytes for rechargeable Li/LiCoO2 cells

A new generation of boronic ionic liquid namely 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium difluoro(oxalate)borate (EMImDFOB) was synthesized by metathesis reaction between 1-ethyl-3-methylimiazolium bromide and lithium difluoro(oxalate)borate (LiDFOB). Ternary gel polymer electrolyte membranes were prepared using electrolyte mixture EMImDFOB/LiDFOB with poly vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVdF-co-HFP) as a host matrix by facile solvent-casting method and plausibly demonstrated its feasibility to use in lithium ion batteries. Amongst ternary gel electrolyte membrane, DFOB-GPE3, which contained 80 wt% of EMImDFOB/LiDFOB and 20 wt% PVdF-co-HFP, showed excellent electrochemical and cycling behaviors. The highest ionic conductivity was found to be 10⁻³ Scm⁻¹ at 378 K. Charge-discharge profile of Li/DFOB-GPE3/LiCoO₂ coin cell displayed a maximum discharge capacity of 148.4 mAhg⁻¹ at C/10 rate with impressive capacity retention capability and columbic efficiency at 298 K.

Prawn Shell Derived Chitin Nanofiber Membranes as Advanced Sustainable Separators for Li/Na-Ion Batteries

Separators, necessary components to isolate cathodes and anodes in Li/Na-ion batteries, are consumed in large amounts per year; thus, their sustainability is a concerning issue for renewable energy storage systems. However, the eco-efficient and environmentally friendly fabrication of separators with a high mechanical strength, excellent thermal stability, and good electrolyte wettability is still challenging. Herein, we reported the fabrication of a new type of separators for Li/Na-ion batteries through the self-assembly of eco-friendly chitin nanofibers derived from prawn shells. We demonstrated that the pore size in the chitin nanofiber membrane (CNM) separator can be tuned by adjusting the amount of pore generation agent (sodium dihydrogen citrate) in the self-assembly process of chitin nanofibers. By optimizing the pore size in CNM separators, the electrochemical performance of the LiFePO₄/Li half-cell with a CNM separator is comparable to that with a commercialized polypropylene (PP) separator. More attractively, the CNM separator showed a much better performance in the LiFePO₄/Li cell at 120 °C and Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃/Na cell than the PP separator. The proposed fabrication of separators by using natural raw materials will play a significant contribution to the sustainable development of renewable energy storage systems.

Cellulose Aerogel Membranes with a Tunable Nanoporous Network as a Matrix of Gel Polymer Electrolytes for Safer Lithium-Ion Batteries

Cellulose aerogel membranes (CAMs) are proposed as a matrix for gel polymer electrolyte to the fabrication of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with superior thermal stability. The CAMs are obtained from a cellulose-ionic liquid solution via a dissolution-regeneration-supercritical drying route. The presence of high porosity, the nanoporous network structure, and numerous polar hydroxyl groups benefits the quick absorption of liquid electrolytes for gelation of the CAMs and improves the ionic conductivity of the gelled CAMs. LIBs assembled with the gelled CAMs display excellent electrochemical performance at room temperature, and more importantly, the intrinsic thermal resistance of cellulose allows the LIBs to run stably for at least 30 min at working temperatures as high as 120 °C. The CAMs, with their excellent thermal stability, are promising for the development of highly safe, cost-effective, and high-performance LIBs.

Cellulosic Biomass-Reinforced Polyvinylidene Fluoride Separators with Enhanced Dielectric Properties and Thermal Tolerance

Safety issues are critical barriers to large-scale energy storage applications of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Using an ameliorated, thermally stable, shutdown separator is an effective method to overcome the safety issues. Herein, we demonstrate a novel, cellulosic biomass-material-blended polyvinylidene fluoride separator that was prepared using a simple nonsolvent-induced phase separation technique. This process formed a microporous composite separator with reduced crystallinity, uniform pore size distribution, superior thermal tolerance, and enhanced electrolyte wettability and dielectric and mechanical properties. In addition, the separator has a superior capacity retention and a better rate capability compared to the commercialized microporous polypropylene membrane. This fascinating membrane was fabricated via a relatively eco-friendly and cost-effective method and is an alternative, promising separator for high-power LIBs.

Real-time tracking the Li+-ion transition behavior and dynamics in solid Poly(vinyl alcohol)/LiClO4 electrolytes

To delicately track the Li-ion transport in SPEs under an external electric field (EF) is a big challenge, considering the limitation of most spectroscopic methods to monitor the real-time conformational changes and track the dynamic process. Herein, real-time Li-ion transition behavior and transport dynamics in typical poly(vinyl alcohol)/LiClO₄ electrolytes under an external EF have been studied by combining time-resolved Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) with two-dimensional correlation FTIR spectroscopy. Results show that no migration of Li-ions has been detected when the time scale of the EF loading is at nanosecond (less than 200 ns). However, for the first time, Li-ions have been found to significantly transfer along the EF direction as the time scale enhances to microsecond order of magnitude and the migration period is less than 10 microseconds. The Li⁺ migration in the SPEs under an EF is a complicated process including quasi-periodic dissociation and coordination effects between Li-ion carriers and polymeric chains.

Biocompatible and biodegradable solid polymer electrolytes for high voltage and high temperature lithium batteries

Wheat flour modified solid polymer electrolytes were synthesized and used in high safety and long cycling lithium batteries.

A PEO-based gel polymer electrolyte for lithium ion batteries

This paper illustrates a simpler method for the preparation of gel polymer electrolytes.

Supramolecular assembly-mediated lithium ion transport in nanostructured solid electrolytes

Supramolecular solid polymer electrolytes provide mechanical integrity and well-defined ion-conducting paths for rapid ion transport that can be applied in high-performance lithium-ion batteries.