High sodium ionic conductivity in PEO/PVP solid polymer electrolytes with InAs nanowire fillers

Abstract

Solid-state sodium ion batteries are frequently referred to as the most promising technology for future energy storage applications. However, developing a solid electrolyte with high ionic conductivity and a wide electrochemical stability window, remains a major challenge. Although solid-polymer electrolytes have attracted great interest due to their low cost, low density and very good processability, they generally have significantly lower ionic conductivity and poor mechanical strength. Here, we report on the development of a low-cost solid polymer electrolyte comprised of poly(ethylene oxide), poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and sodium hexafluorophosphate, mixed with indium arsenide nanowires. We show that the addition of 1.0 percent by weight of nanowires increases the sodium ion conductivity in the polymer to 1.50 × 10-4 Scm−1 at 40° C. This is the highest reported conductivity for any solid polymer electrolyte to date. In order to explain this remarkable characteristic, we propose a new transport model where sodium ions hop between close-spaced defect sites present on the surface of the nanowires, forming an effective complex conductive percolation network. Our work represents a significant advance in the development of novel solid polymer electrolytes with embedded ultrafast 1D percolation networks for next generations of low-cost, high-performance batteries with excellent energy storage capabilities.

Development and Characterization of a New Solid Polymer Electrolyte for Supercapacitor Device

“…Te total current (I t � 5.527 × 10 −5 A) takes both contributions (ions and electrons) into consideration at the SS/SPE contact. I ss confrms the cell's polarization caused by the blocking efect of the SS plates, but only electrons can travel through [58][59][60]. Using equations ( 7) and ( 8), the computed values of t ion and t elec which defne the ion and electron contribution were found to be 99% and 1%, respectively.…”

Overview and perspectives of solid electrolytes for sodium batteries

“…The polymer is dissolved in a solvent, and the ceramic particles are uniformly dispersed in the viscous suspension, which can further be molded to a thin polymer sheet using solution casting, electrodeposition, spray drying, or other coating methods. A composite electrolyte based on the inactive filler InAs nanowires and blend polymer PEO/PVP with NaPF 6 salt were prepared by the solution casting in a petri dish 168 . Zhang et al.…”

“…A composite electrolyte based on the inactive filler InAs nanowires and blend polymer PEO/PVP with NaPF 6 salt were prepared by the solution casting in a petri dish. 168 Zhang et al developed a PEO-based composite electrolyte with the NASICON structured ceramic fillers (Na 3 Zr 2 Si 2 PO 12 and Na 3.4 Zr 1.8 Mg 0.2 Si 2 PO 12 ) using a solution casting technique. 149 Improved ionic conductivity of 1.5 × 10 −4 S/cm and the electrochemical stability window of 4.10 V were achieved for the obtained composite film with 10 wt% of ceramic.…”