From ESS News
Rechargeable lithium metal batteries are a promising alternative to ubiquitous lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles and energy storage applications that require high energy density. However, their practical implementation is held back by safety concerns and a shortened battery cycle life arising from a combination of undesirable lithium dendrite and solid-electrolyte interphase formations.
Now, a team of researchers at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) has developed a new generation of lithium metal batteries based on microcrack-free polymer electrolytes, which promise extended lifespan and enhanced safety at temperatures as high as 100 degrees Celsius.
The microcrack-free polymer electrolytes are synthesized via a straightforward one-step click reaction, exhibiting notable attributes including “a remarkable resistance to dendrite growth and outstanding 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 enhanced properties are attributed to the presence of tethered borate anions in microcrack-free membranes, which benefits the acceleration of selective Li+ cations transport as well as suppression of dendrite growth.
Ultimately, the microcrack-free anionic network polymer membranes enable lithium metal batteries to function as safe and long-cyclable 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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