A novel polymer electrolyte membrane for application in solid state lithium metal battery

Polyethylene oxide (PEO), dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (LiCF3SO3) salts are combined into a composite polymer electrolyte studied for application in lithium metal battery. FTIR measurements and AFM images are used to reveal the structure and morphology of the polymer electrolyte, while electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), chronoamperometry and voltammetry are employed for determining the electrolyte conductivity, lithium transference number, chemical and electrochemical stability, respectively. The data reveal a suitable conductivity and lithium transport, i.e., δ above 10−4S cm−1and tLi+about 0.5, at moderate temperature, which allow the use of the membrane and a LiFePO4olivine cathode in an efficient lithium metal cell delivering a capacity of 130 mAh g−1at about 3.4 V, and operating at 50 °C. This relatively low operating temperature, the good electrochemical properties, and the polymer configuration of the PEO-DMSO-LiCF3SO3membrane suggest it as a viable solution for application in high energy lithium metal battery

Polyethylene oxide electrolyte added by silane-functionalized TiO2 filler for lithium battery

Titanium dioxide ceramic functionalized with silane organic group is used here to improve polyethylene oxide electrolyte properties. The results demonstrate the effective role of the silane coating in enhancing the polymer–ceramic interactions and, consequently, the polymer electrolyte properties for application in lithium polymer battery. The ceramic added electrolyte shows conductivity higher than 10−4 S cm−1 above 65 °C and a transference number approaching 0.5. The electrolyte membrane is then selected as the polymer separator in a lithium cell using LiFePO4 electrode, characterized by enhanced behavior in terms of capacity, cycling stability and efficiency