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PEEK‐WC/Nanosponge Membranes for Lithium‐Anode Protection in Rechargeable Li−O 2 Batteries
Author(s) -
Amici Julia,
Alidoost Mojtaba,
Caldera Fabrizio,
Versaci Daniele,
Zubair Usman,
Trotta Francesco,
Francia Carlotta,
Bodoardo Silvia
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
chemelectrochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.182
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 2196-0216
DOI - 10.1002/celc.201800241
Subject(s) - membrane , anode , electrolyte , chemical engineering , chemistry , separator (oil production) , cathode , polymer chemistry , materials science , electrode , biochemistry , physics , engineering , thermodynamics
Dextrin‐based nanosponges (NSs) are hyper‐crosslinked polymers characterized by the ability to encapsulate a great variety of substances in liquid phase. More importantly, dextrin‐based NSs are nanostructured within a three‐dimensional network. Here, an amorphous modified polyetheretherketone (PWC) and NS‐derived from crosslinking dextrin and β‐ciclodextrins are used to prepare flat‐sheet membranes. The presence of NSs in the membrane changes the features of PWC. The PWC/NS membrane displays very low oxygen permeability, good ionic conductivity, and assure a suitable interfacial stability with Li metal. For such properties, the membrane is suitable to protect the highly reactive Li‐metal anode from oxygen crossover, dendrite formation, and from side reactions due to the oxygenated dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)‐based electrolyte. Li−O 2 lab‐scale cells are assembled with the membrane sandwiched between Li and the separator soaked by electrolyte, with continuous oxygen flow of 3 mL/min at the cathode side. XRD analysis demonstrates that the membrane does not interfere with the formation and decomposition of Li 2 O 2 . Membranes assure long cell‐cycle life at reversible capacity and better capacity retention during cycling in full discharge/charge conditions.