A bio-derived polyester has been crosslinked into flexible films for solid polymer electrolyte applications in Li+-ion batteries, with ionic conductivity around 10−5 S cm−1 at 60 °C, high Li+ transference number (0.84), and hydrolytic degradability.
This report describes the synthesis and characterization
of organogels
by reaction of a diol-containing polyether, derived from the sugar d-xylose, with 1,4-phenylenediboronic acid (PDBA). The cross-linked
materials were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermal
gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM),
and rheology. The rheological material properties could be tuned:
gel or viscoelastic behavior depended on the concentration of polymer,
and mechanical stiffness increased with the amount of PDBA cross-linker.
Organogels demonstrated self-healing capabilities and recovered their
storage and loss moduli instantaneously after application and subsequent
strain release. Lithiated organogels were synthesized through incorporation
of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) into the cross-linked
matrix. These lithium–borate polymer gels showed a high ionic
conductivity value of up to 3.71 × 10–3 S cm–1 at 25 °C, high lithium transference numbers
(t
+ = 0.88–0.92), and electrochemical
stability (4.51 V). The gels were compatible with lithium-metal electrodes,
showing stable polarization profiles in plating/stripping tests. This
system provides a promising platform for the production of self-healing
gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) derived from renewable feedstocks
for battery applications.
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