Improved performance of solid polymer electrolytes for structural batteries utilizing plasticizing co‐solvents

Abstract

This study describes the formulation, curing, and characterization of solid polymer electrolytes (SPE) based on plasticized poly(ethylene glycol)-methacrylate, intended for use in structural batteries that utilizes carbon fibers as electrodes. The effect of crosslink density, salt concentration, and amount of plasticizer has been investigated. Adding a plasticizing solvent increases the overall performance of the SPE. Increased ionic conductivity and mechanical performance can be attained compared to similar systems without plasticizer. At ambient temperature, ionic conductivity (r) of 3.3 3 10 25 S cm 21 , with a corresponding storage modulus (E 0 ) of 20 MPa are reached.

Advanced energy materials for flexible batteries in energy storage: A review

“…192,193 The dissociated lithium ions from counterions coordinate with electron-donor groups of polymers, and move to neighboring electron-donor sites through ion hoppings under electric fields ( Figure 10A). 179,194 To increase the local motion of polymer chains, solid particles (e.g., SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 ) 196,197 and solvents (e.g., EC, PC) 198 are functioned as plasticizers to promote the formation of amorphous segments, which further expedite lithium transport kinetics.…”

Structural lithium ion battery electrolytesviareaction induced phase-separation

“…[13][14][15] Nevertheless, there is still a direct relationship between the mechanical properties and the ionic conductivity, i.e., the stiffer these SPEs become, the less conductive they are. [16][17][18] A typical crosslinked PEG based electrolyte with an E-modulus of 100 MPa exhibits a corresponding ionic conductivity in the range of 10 À6 S cm À1 . [16][17][18][19] This conductivity is signicantly lower than that of a liquid electrolyte which can be in the order of 10 À2 S cm À1 at ambient temperature.…”

“…[16][17][18] A typical crosslinked PEG based electrolyte with an E-modulus of 100 MPa exhibits a corresponding ionic conductivity in the range of 10 À6 S cm À1 . [16][17][18][19] This conductivity is signicantly lower than that of a liquid electrolyte which can be in the order of 10 À2 S cm À1 at ambient temperature. 8 One route to enhance the ionic conductivity is to use a solvent, thereby plasticizing the polymer system and forming a gel polymer electrolyte (GPE).…”

Matrix and interface microcracking in carbon fiber/polymer structural micro-battery

“…In the initial stage of SBE development, UV curing was used. 34,35 However, due to practical limitations such as CF in itself being black, UV cure of an entire laminate is impossible, and it appears inevitable to switch to heat curing. In heat curing, the cool down of the laminate from the curing temperature causes local thermal stresses.…”