Review on Polymer-Based Composite Electrolytes for Lithium Batteries

Abstract

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.

PEO based polymer-ceramic hybrid solid electrolytes: a review

“…First, the strong electron donating group EO will complex with the charge carrier Li + . There are about 5 EO to match with 1 Li + [ 24 , 25 ]. Then the conduction of Li + is completed through the segmental motion of PEO molecular chains [ 26 ].…”

Quo Vadis, Macromolecular Science? Reflections by the IUPAC Polymer Division on the Occasion of the Staudinger Centenary

“…dissolved metal salts in poly(ethylene oxide) forming conductive solid solutions . SPEs have yet to meet the standard requirements of rechargeable batteries, e. g. the conductivity should be at least 10 −3 S cm −1 at room temperature, and the lithium ion transference number should be sufficiently high . High ionic conductivity coexisting with high lithium ion transference number may lead to a reduction of polarization (resistance), and hence electrical performance can be enhanced .…”

“…High ionic conductivity coexisting with high lithium ion transference number may lead to a reduction of polarization (resistance), and hence electrical performance can be enhanced . Various strategies for polymer hosts have been introduced to improve the electrical properties of the SPEs, e. g. polymer‐blends, addition of fillers (e. g. Al 2 O 3 , TiO 2 ), addition of plasticizers, tuning macromolecular architectures (e. g. block copolymers, graft copolymers, polymer networks), or a combination of these strategies . Efficient energy storage is the prerequisite for the switch from fossil fuels to electrically‐powered vehicles, and discovery of new anode materials, cathode materials and electrolytes is anticipated for sustainable battery technology.…”

Between Liquid and All Solid: A Prospect on Electrolyte Future in Lithium‐Ion Batteries for Electric Vehicles

“…[27] Still, several promising electrolyte composites were reported. [94][95][96][97] The ability of the electrolyte material to wet the surface of the electrodes is important and becomes crucial when dealing with nanocomposites. Without good adhesion to the electrode surface, the lithium ions are unable to fully interact with the lithium-ion host electrode.…”