Nanostructured block copolymer single-ion conductors for low-temperature, high-voltage and fast charging lithium-metal batteries

Abstract

Herein, a single-ion polymer electrolyte is reported for high-voltage and low-temperature lithium-metal batteries that enables suppressing the growth of dendrites, even at high current densities of 2 mA cm^-2. The nanostructured electrolyte was introduced into the cell by mechanically processing the polymer powder via an easily scalable process. Important for the potential application in commercial battery cells is the finding that it does not induce aluminum corrosion at high voltages and leads to low interfacial resistance with lithium metal. These beneficial characteristics, in combination with its high single-ion conductivity and its high anodic stability, allow for the stable cycling of state-of-the-art lithium-ion cathodes, such as NMC₁₁₁ and NMC₆₂₂, in combination with a lithium metal anode at 20 °C and even 0 °C for several hundred cycles.

Keywords

Polymer electrolyte / single-ion conductor / lithium metal / NMC / battery

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