Collaborative Research: Thermodynamics and Ion Transport in Block Copolymer/Lithium Salt Mixtures

技术总结：提出了嵌段共聚物和锂盐混合物中有序形态、颗粒结构和离子电导率之间相互作用的基础研究。 所提出的工作的结果有可能影响具有固体电解质的高比能量电池的发展。 这项工作将集中在聚苯乙烯-聚环氧乙烷嵌段共聚物的混合物上，该共聚物是通过阴离子聚合合成的，而双三氟甲基磺酰亚胺（LiTFSI）是一种经常用于含有聚合物电解质的电池的盐。 小角X射线散射和退偏振光散射将用于确定这些材料中的有序-无序和有序-有序相变的性质。 将使用交流阻抗光谱法对与X射线和光散射研究中使用的样品相同的样品进行电导率测量。 将在宽范围的嵌段共聚物组合物、盐浓度、温度和退火条件下进行测量。 非技术性总结：本项目提出的基础工作是出于为清洁能源相关应用（如电动汽车和固定储能）设计安全可充电电池的需要。 所提出的纳米结构离子传导固体将用作锂电池中的电解质。 通过用固体代替当前锂电池中使用的易燃液体电解质，可以使用更高能量的电极，这反过来又增加了电池的能量密度。 不存在易燃成分使电池安全。 联合PI将在涉及高中生的外展活动中使用固态电池进行演示。 Garetz与纽约市的大卫帕卡德技术和教育联盟中心合作，指导当地高中学生从事与技术和研究相关的领域。 Balsara与伯克利的数学和科学暑期学院项目以及将奥克兰学区的学生带到加州大学的充实项目合作。 研究所将继续与M教授合作。在A. Mickiewicz大学，波兰，关于含离子聚合物的主题，该主题源于NSF在波兰主办的研讨会。

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:A fundamental study of the interplay between ordered morphology, grain structure, and ionic conductivity in mixtures of block copolymers and lithium salts is proposed. The results of the proposed work have the potential to impact the development of high specific energy batteries with solid electrolytes. The work will focus on mixtures of polystyrene-polyethyleneoxide block copolymers, synthesized by anionic polymerization, and bis-trifluoromethylsulfonimide (LiTFSI), a salt that is often used in batteries containing polymer electrolytes. Small-angle X-ray scattering and depolarized light scattering will be used to determine the nature of the order-disorder and order-order phase transitions in these materials. Conductivity measurements will be made on the same samples as those used in the X-ray and light scattering studies using AC impedance spectroscopy. Measurements will be made over a wide range of block copolymer compositions, salt concentration, temperature, and annealing conditions. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:The fundamental work proposed in this project is motivated by the need to design safe rechargeable batteries for clean energy-related applications such as electric vehicles and stationary energy storage. The proposed nanostructured ion-conducting solid will be used as the electrolyte in a lithium battery. By replacing the flammable liquid electrolyte that is used in current lithium batteries by a solid, one can use higher energy electrodes that, in turn increase the energy density of the battery. The absence of a flammable component makes the battery safe. The co-PIs will use solid-state batteries for demonstrations in their outreach activities involving high school students. Garetz works with the David Packard Center for Technology and Educational Alliances in New York City to mentor local high school students in fields related to technology and research. Balsara works with Math and Science Summer Academy program at Berkeley, and enrichment program which brings students from the Oakland School District to the University of California. The PIs will continue an ongoing collaboration with Professor M. Banaszak at A. Mickiewicz University, Poland on the subject of ion-containing polymers that arose from an NSF-sponsored workshop in Poland.