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Title: Solvent-Cast Solid Electrolyte Membranes Based on a Charged Rigid-Rod Polymer and Ionic Liquids

Journal Article · · ACS Applied Energy Materials

Solid-state electrolytes are attractive for use in electrochemical devices because they remove the need for a flammable liquid electrolyte while contributing to the structural integrity of the device. We have recently developed a class of solid electrolytes, termed molecular ionic composites (MICs), composed of ionic liquids (ILs) and a rigid-rod polyelectrolyte, poly(2,2'-disulfonyl-4,4'-benzidine terephthalamide) (PBDT). MIC materials, originally obtained through an ion-exchange process between IL and PBDT aqueous solution, possess an unprecedented combination of high ionic conductivity, high thermal stability, low flammability and widely tunable tensile storage moduli. Here we present a facile solvent casting method for preparing MIC membranes. These membranes are uniform, flexible, and tough, with tunable composition and thickness (≥ 40 μm). Unlike the previous ion-exchange method, which only allowed incorporation of hydrophilic ILs, we can now incorporate hydrophobic ILs to prepare MIC membranes for, e.g. battery electrolytes. A sodium (Na) metal symmetric cell constructed with a PBDT-Pyr14 TFSI membrane as the solid electrolyte shows long-term stable cycling (> 500 h.) at 60 °C. Furthermore, the ability to prepare MICs using both hydrophilic and hydrophobic ILs initiates a wider range of MIC materials and broadens the array of applications accessible by MIC membranes.

Research Organization:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, VA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO); National Science Foundation (NSF)
Grant/Contract Number:
EE0008860; DMR 1810194
OSTI ID:
2006640
Journal Information:
ACS Applied Energy Materials, Vol. 4, Issue 7; ISSN 2574-0962
Publisher:
American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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