Multiscale Polymeric Materials for Advanced Lithium Battery Applications

Abstract

which can be realized by advancing battery materials and engineering the cell architectures. Particularly, automotive battery technology has been extensively evaluated and provides relatively stringent requirements on key performance indicators such as fast-charging capability and maximum energy density along with other critical factors (battery lifetime (>8 years), robustness to wide temperature, and safety), while non-EV batteries are flexible and tolerable in their design. [1] Putting differently, such practical standards guided for EV batteries assist battery scientists, at least in the academia, in aligning the ultimate goal and initiative for advanced battery developments, despite the recent application of new cell chemistry (typically known as post-lithium (Li) or beyond Li), [2] which have raised emerging challenges that require multiscale material-level understanding, design, and breakthroughs across the cell architecture. [3] Automotive battery technology has made great strides in terms of cost, process, and material perspective, yet advancing the batteries invariably starts with new battery chemistry and consequently new material chemistry in its major (e.g., cathode, anode, electrolyte, separator) and complementary cell components (e.g., current collector, binder, tap, packaging, etc.). Polymeric materials are indispensable to the design of batteries regardless of battery shape, size, chemistry, and manufacturing at the lab or industry scale as processable at every strategic point of battery production with multifunctionalities and cost-effectiveness. [4] From the conventional viewpoint, the role (or function) of polymeric materials has been confined to the structural support of composite electrodes and devices and the physical barrier between the cathode and anode for battery safety. Figure 1a shows the multiscale use of polymeric materials in a single cell and device. The polymeric binder serves as a chemical adhesive capable of maintaining the electrode integrity, ensuring electron/ion diffusion, and uniformly distributing the active material (Figure 1b). [5] A separator commonly fabricated from semicrystalline polyolefin (e.g., polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP)), provides an ionic conduction path through a liquid electrolyte filling pores and electrically separates the two electrodes to prevent a battery short circuit, thereby directly related to safety (Figure 1c). [6] Additionally, a polymer has been used as a matrix for reducing the portion of flammable liquid solvent Riding on the rapid growth in electric vehicles and the stationary energy storage market, high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries and next-generation rechargeable batteries (i.e., advanced batteries) have been long-accepted as essential building blocks for future technology reaching the specific energy density of 400 Wh kg −1 at the cell-level. Such progress, mainly driven by the emerging electrode materials or electrolytes, necessitates the development of polymeric materials with advanced functionalities in the battery t...

Toward High‐Areal‐Capacity Electrodes for Lithium and Sodium Ion Batteries

“…Due to the bond strength, the binding capability could be divided into three categories: weak supramolecular interaction, strong supramolecular interaction, and covalent cross-linked. [60] Active materials with different storage Li mechanisms (insertion-type, conversion-type and alloying-type) need to match rational polymer binders with different binding capability. For example, polymers with strong supramolecular interactions (e.g., self-healing polymer) usually are used as a binder for Si anode, which spontaneously recover the damage to the Si anode due to the large volume change during cycling.…”

Ultralong-Life Quinone-Based Porous Organic Polymer Cathode for High-Performance Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

“…Meanwhile, the increasing apprehension about environmental pollution and economic concerns increase the necessity for the utilization of renewable energy to attain a sustainable society . Although rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been extensively used to power portable electronics and electrical vehicles (EVs) in the past decades, the limited lithium sources and safety issues arising from the usage of flammable organic electrolytes restrain their usage for grid-level energy storage systems. − Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of alternative battery technologies to complement LIBs, particularly in large-scale applications. , In this respect, rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have attracted considerable attention compared to other monovalent (Li + , Na + , and K + ) and multivalent (Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , and Al 3+ ) metal-ion batteries due to the nature of the zinc anode that offers high theoretical capacity (820 mAh g –1 and 5855 mAh cm –3 ), low redox potential (−0.76 V vs standard hydrogen electrode (SHE)), aqueous electrolyte compatibility, safety, and economic viability. − New cathodes offering high capacity and long cycle life play a crucial role in developing high-performance rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs).…”

A phthalocyanine-based porous organic polymer for a lithium-ion battery anode

“…6 Until now, a variety of new materials have been used and studied in batteries to increase capacity and lifespan. 7,8 Compared to inorganic materials, organic materials have greater sustainability, lower cost, and plenty of raw materials. 9,10 Therefore, it remains a great research hot topic that researchers are still extensively exploring.…”