Image: University of Hong Kong
By ESS news
Rechargeable lithium metal batteries are a promising alternative to the ubiquitous lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles and energy storage applications that require high energy density. However, its practical implementation is hampered by safety concerns and shorter battery cycle life due to a combination of unwanted lithium dendrite and solid-electrolyte interphase formations.
Now, a team of researchers from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) has developed a new generation of lithium-metal batteries based on microcrack-free polymer electrolytes, promising longer life and improved safety at temperatures up to 100 degrees Celsius.
The microcrack-free polymer electrolytes are synthesized via a simple one-step click reaction, and exhibit remarkable properties, including “remarkable resistance to dendrite growth and excellent non-flammability,” the researchers reported.
They also demonstrated a wide electrochemical stability window up to 5 V, and a high cation conductivity of 3.1 × 10−5 S cm.−1 at high temperatures.
These improved properties are attributed to the presence of bound borate anions in microcrack-free membranes, which favors the acceleration of selective Li.+ cation transport and suppression of dendrite growth.
Ultimately, the microcrack-free anionic network polymer membranes enable lithium metal batteries to function as safe and long-cycle energy storage devices at high temperatures with a capacity retention of 92.7% and an average coulombic efficiency of 99.867% over 450 cycles at 100 C.
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