A Gel Polymer Electrolyte Reinforced Membrane for Lithium-Ion Batteries via the Simultaneous-Irradiation of the Electron Beam

Abstract

In this research, a series of innovative and stable cross-linked gel polymer reinforced membranes (GPRMs), were successfully prepared and investigated for application in lithium-ion batteries. Herein, a gel directly within the commercial polyethylene (PE) separator is supported via electron-beam simultaneous irradiation cross-linking of commercial liquid electrolyte and poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA) oligomers. The physical and electrochemical properties of the GPRMs were characterized by SEM, TEM, mechanical durability, heating shrinkage, and ion conductivity, etc. The GPRMs demonstrated excellent mechanical durability and high ion conductivity compared with traditional PE membranes. Moreover, coin-typed cells were assembled and cycle performance was also studied compared with same-typed cells with commercial PE membrane and liquid electrolyte. As a result, the coin-typed cells using GPRMs also showed a relatively good efficiency on the 50th cycles at a high 1.0 C -rate. These GPRMs with excellent properties present a very promising material for utilization in high-performance lithium-ion batteries with improved safety and reliability.

Gels in Motion: Recent Advancements in Energy Applications

“…These findings underscore the efficacy of Friedel-Crafts reaction-based hyper cross-linking as a potent method for constructing polymer electrolytes with remarkable heat resistance, especially beneficial for applications requiring elevatedtemperature conditions in lithium-ion batteries. In another study, it was revealed that a gel that is incorporated directly into the commercial polyethylene (PE) separator through simultaneous electron-beam irradiation cross-linking of the conventional liquid electrolyte and poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA) oligomers can significantly enhance the performance of LIB [85]. These stable cross-linked gel polymers reinforced membranes (GPRMs) offers exceptional mechanical stability and high ionic conductivity compared to PE.…”

Recent Development in Novel Lithium-Sulfur Nanofiber Separators: A Review of the Latest Fabrication and Performance Optimizations

“…Poly-m-phenyleneisophthalamide (PMIA) is a specific type of aramid polymer that is promising for gel-polymer electrolyte NF separators in LSBs. Unlike in traditional configurations where the electrolyte and separator are separate materials, gel-polymer electrolyte separators have electrolyte impregnated and immobilized within the separator matrix [ 74 , 75 ]. Thus, LSBs with gel-polymer electrolyte separators have reduced flammability than batteries with liquid electrolytes and better ionic conductivity than solid electrolytes [ 76 ].…”

Composite Membrane Containing Titania Nanofibers for Battery Separators Used in Lithium-Ion Batteries

“…Although microporous polyolefin membranes provide excellent mechanical strength and good chemical stability, they exhibit a low thermal stability, which causes a short circuit between electrodes, and poor wettability to a polar liquid electrolyte, leading to high resistance and a low battery performance [ 4 , 5 ]. In order to overcome these drawbacks of polyolefin membranes, various approaches have been studied, including the surface modification of polyolefin membranes, the impregnation of a gel polymer electrolyte, nonwoven separators, and inorganic composite separators [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Among these, inorganic composite separators have received considerable attention due to their outstanding thermal stability and good wettability to a liquid electrolyte [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”