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Lignin as Polymer Electrolyte Precursor for Stable and Sustainable Potassium Batteries
Author(s) -
Trano Sabrina,
Corsini Francesca,
Pascuzzi Giuseppe,
Giove Elisabetta,
Fagiolari Lucia,
Amici Julia,
Francia Carlotta,
Turri Stefano,
Bodoardo Silvia,
Griffini Gianmarco,
Bella Federico
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.202200294
Subject(s) - electrolyte , potassium , lignin , electrochemistry , polymer , chemistry , membrane , chemical engineering , electrochemical window , ionic conductivity , inorganic chemistry , materials science , organic chemistry , electrode , biochemistry , engineering
Potassium batteries show interesting peculiarities as large‐scale energy storage systems and, in this scenario, the formulation of polymer electrolytes obtained from sustainable resources or waste‐derived products represents a milestone activity. In this study, a lignin‐based membrane is designed by crosslinking a pre‐oxidized Kraft lignin matrix with an ethoxylated difunctional oligomer, leading to self‐standing membranes that are able to incorporate solvated potassium salts. The in‐depth electrochemical characterization highlights a wide stability window (up to 4 V) and an ionic conductivity exceeding 10 −3 S cm −1 at ambient temperature. When potassium metal cell prototypes are assembled, the lignin‐based electrolyte attains significant electrochemical performances, with an initial specific capacity of 168 mAh g −1 at 0.05 A g −1 and an excellent operation for more than 200 cycles, which is an unprecedented outcome for biosourced systems in potassium batteries.