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Title: Highly Flexible Self-Assembled V2O5 Cathodes Enabled by Conducting Diblock Copolymers

Journal Article · · Scientific Reports
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/srep14166· OSTI ID:1216454
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [1]
  1. Texas A & M Univ., College Station, TX (United States)
  2. Rice Univ., Houston, TX (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations

Mechanically robust battery electrodes are desired for applications in wearable devices, flexible displays, and structural energy and power. In this regard, the challenge is to balance mechanical and electrochemical properties in materials that are inherently brittle. Here, we demonstrate a unique water-based self-assembly approach that incorporates a diblock copolymer bearing electron- and ion-conducting blocks, poly(3-hexylthiophene)-block-poly(ethyleneoxide) (P3HT-b-PEO), with V2O5 to form a flexible, tough, carbon-free hybrid battery cathode. V2O5 is a promising lithium intercalation material, but it remains limited by its poor conductivity and mechanical properties. Our approach leads to a unique electrode structure consisting of interlocking V2O5 layers glued together with micellar aggregates of P3HT-b-PEO, which results in robust mechanical properties, far exceeding the those obtained from conventional fluoropolymer binders. Only 5 wt % polymer is required to triple the flexibility of V2O5, and electrodes comprised of 10 wt % polymer have unusually high toughness (293 kJ/m3) and specific energy (530 Wh/kg), both higher than reduced graphene oxide paper electrodes. Furthermore, addition of P3HT-b-PEO enhances lithium-ion diffusion, eliminates cracking during cycling, and boosts cyclability relative to V2O5 alone. These results highlight the importance of tradeoffs between mechanical and electrochemical performance, where polymer content can be used to tune both aspects.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
1216454
Journal Information:
Scientific Reports, Vol. 5; ISSN 2045-2322
Publisher:
Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 28 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (7)

Fully Integrated Design of a Stretchable Solid‐State Lithium‐Ion Full Battery journal September 2019
V 2 O 5 and its Carbon‐Based Nanocomposites for Supercapacitor Applications journal January 2019
Comparative study of electrical parameters and Li-ion storage capacity of PEG modified β-V2O5:M (M: Mo, Ni) thin films journal June 2019
Low temperature synthesis of nanocrystalline V2O5 using the non-hydrolytic sol–gel method journal February 2019
Design of multifunctional supercapacitor electrodes using an informatics approach journal January 2019
Block copolymers for supercapacitors, dielectric capacitors and batteries journal March 2019
Self-Doped Conjugated Polymeric Binders Improve the Capacity and Mechanical Properties of V2O5 Cathodes journal April 2019

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36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
25 ENERGY STORAGE