An in situ generated polymer electrolyte via anionic ring-opening polymerization for lithium–sulfur batteries

Meisner, Quinton J.; Jiang, Sisi; Cao, Pengfei; Glossmann, Tobias; Hintennach, Andreas; Zhang, Zhengcheng

doi:10.1039/d1ta08244b

An in situ generated polymer electrolyte via anionic ring-opening polymerization for lithium–sulfur batteries

Journal Article · Sun Nov 14 23:00:00 EST 2021 · Journal of Materials Chemistry. A

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/d1ta08244b· OSTI ID:1842595

^[1]; Jiang, Sisi ^[1]; ^[2]; ^[3]; Hintennach, Andreas ^[4]; ^[1]

Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Lemont, IL (United States)
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc., Redford, MI (United States)
Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Cars), Boeblingen (Germany)

The use of solid polymer electrolytes has previously proven to be an effective approach to address the lithium polysulfide dissolution and high electrode interfacial impedance of Li–S batteries via an in situ polymerization process. However, the conventional in situ synthesis employs a cationic ring-opening polymerization (CROP) of 1,3-dioxolane (DOL) catalyzed by a strong Lewis acid. New polymerization chemistry that is more compatible with Li–S chemistry needs to be developed to mitigate the disadvantages associated with the CROP process. Herein we report a new approach to in situ polymerize a set of new episulfide monomers in solution with LiTFSI salt via an anionic ring-opening polymerization (AROP). This new polymer system takes advantage of the inherent cell chemistry present in the Li–S cell through the nucleophilic lithium sulfides which are generated during the initial discharge cycle and act as the initiator for the polymerization. Additionally, their presence was shown to initiate the monomer solvents through AROP with no need for additional catalysts, rather than the more commonly utilized cationic systems which require an external Lewis acid catalyst. This work offers an important pathway toward in situ polymer electrolytes for Li–S batteries and offers a new avenue of exploration for polymer electrolyte synthesis.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 1842595

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1868994

Journal Information:: Journal of Materials Chemistry. A, Journal Name: Journal of Materials Chemistry. A Journal Issue: 46 Vol. 9; ISSN 2050-7488

Publisher:: Royal Society of ChemistryCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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