Composite polymer electrolyte with high inorganic additive contents to enable metallic lithium anode

Composite polymer electrolytes (CPE) are a very promising strategy for using lithium metal anodes safely. These electrolytes are formed by polymeric matrices in which ceramic nanoparticles are incorporated to modify their mechanical and conduction properties. In this work a methacrylate-based polymer matrix containing 63 wt% of ZrO2 nanoparticles (NPs) was prepared and tested as electrolyte for lithium metal batteries. The prepared CPE shows a higher ionic conductivity than the polymer matrix without ZrO2 NPs and a higher lithium transport number than Celgard with liquid electrolyte and stabilizes the processes of deposition-dissolution of lithium with respect to the reference cell, thus prolonging the cycling time without short circuits. Finally, the compatibility of the CPE with a LiFePO4 cathode was verified, achieving a stable cycling at 1.0 C and at ambient temperature, with an impressive capacity of 140.18 mAh g(-1) even after 250 cycles. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Composite polymer electrolytes (CPE) with ceramic nanoparticles show enhanced conductivity and stability, making them a promising choice for lithium metal batteries. In this study, a methacrylate-based CPE containing ZrO2 nanoparticles was synthesized, and it exhibited improved ionic conductivity and lithium transport compared to traditional liquid electrolytes. The CPE also demonstrated long cycling life and compatibility with LiFePO4 cathodes.