Neurotechnologically inspired multilayered polymer electrolyte membranes to harness ion concentration gradient for energy restoration

受神经技术启发的多层聚合物电解质膜利用离子浓度梯度进行能量恢复

• 批准号: 1502543
• 负责人: Thein Kyu
• 金额: $ 39.9万
• 依托单位: University of Akron
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2015-07-01 至 2019-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1502543&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Neurotechnologically; inspired; multilayered; polymer; electrolyte

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:The main concept of this project emerges from the neuronal circuits of the body as paradigms for novel types of solid-state batteries based on mechanisms operative in neurotransmission. The brain controls various functions of the body through the nervous system composed of neuronal networks. Neurons are excitable, individual cells making specific contacts with other surrounding neurons. Their signal-processing is empowered by ion osmosis, driven by ion concentration gradients across the cell membrane which regulates passage of selective ions via ionic channels. The concept of polymer-based solid lithium ion batteries to be explored in this project shares this common origin with neuronal networks, as it operates by harnessing ion concentration gradients across the proposed "multilayered polymer electrolyte membranes" (MLPEM) which contain different ion concentrations in each layer, thus generating an internal voltage. The proposed concentration-gradient approach to battery design is conceptually similar to the neuronal operation of an electric eel, whereby series of thousands of innervated and non-innervated cell membranes are capable of generating internal voltages of about 600 volts to fend off predators. Just as the neural network of the electric eel allows this voltage to be regenerated, the proposed MLPEM batteries could be rechargeable on their own. The working principle of the self-rechargeable battery in this project is that the mobile lithium cation will be transported to the cathode during discharging, but it will revert back to the anode during battery resting, thereby restoring the ion concentration gradient and hence a voltage. This project will explore these aspects by synthesizing and processing multilayered polymer electrolyte membranes allowing ionic concentration gradients, evaluate and attempt to optimize the ionic conductivity, the thermal and electrochemical stability, and the mechanical properties of the battery. If successful, this project may benefit society by leading to novel lightweight, shape-conformable, thermally and electrochemically stable, flame-retardant, self-rechargeable batteries. The project also includes integration of research and education through interdisciplinary training of students and outreach activities.TECHNICAL SUMMARY:This project is inspired by the neuronal circuits of the body as paradigms for novel types of solid-state batteries based on mechanisms operative in neurotransmission, e.g. the generation of high voltages by electric eels followed by internal recharging. It focuses on five thrust areas: (1) Development of all-solid-state multilayered polymer electrolyte membranes (MLPEM) having specific chemical and electrochemical compatibility with electrodes for enhancing energy-storage capacity. MLPEM will be fabricated by stacking individual polymer electrolyte (PEM) layers having different ion populations by photopolymerizing network-precursor (poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate)/solid plasticizer (succinonitrile)/ionic salt (lithium bis-trifluorosulfonylimide). The ion concentration gradient thus produced in MLPEM will create potential differences across the membrane interfaces, thereby affording self-rechargeability of the battery. (2) Fabrication of directionally aligned phase-separated domains having various concentration gradients via holographic photopolymerization-induced phase separation in multicomponent solid electrolytes containing plasticizer and modifiers as a means of creating networks of micro-electrolyte cells. (3) Synthesis of PEM additives such as amido-carbonyl carbamate and amido-carbamate to prevent uncontrolled solid electrolyte interface formation on electrodes. (4) Grafting of poly(ethylene glycol) diamine to multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) followed by end-capped reaction with carbamate derivatives to improve interface compatibility of MLPEM with carbonaceous anode and concurrently increase in ionic conductivity. (5) Modification of MWCNT surface by grafting of lithiated PEG-chains and/or arborescent PEG to raise lithium ion storage capacity and provide separate pathways for electron and ion conductions. The network of lithiated arborescent hyperbranched PEG resembles a neuronal network structurally and functionally. The ion conductivity and mobility will be determined by AC impedance, solid-state NMR, and Raman spectroscopy. Electrochemical stability will be evaluated by means of cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling in half-cell configurations. By virtue of the self-restored potential difference between the electrodes afforded by the ion concentration gradient of MLPEM, the battery would be rechargeable in the rest state, thereby prolonging the battery life. The project includes integration of research and education through interdisciplinary training of students and outreach activities.

非技术总结：该项目的主要概念来自身体的神经元回路，作为基于神经传递机制的新型固态电池的范例。 大脑通过由神经元网络组成的神经系统控制身体的各种功能。神经元是可兴奋的，单个细胞与周围的其他神经元进行特定接触。它们的信号处理由离子渗透授权，由跨细胞膜的离子浓度梯度驱动，其调节通过离子通道的选择性离子的通过。 在这个项目中探索的聚合物基固体锂离子电池的概念与神经网络有着共同的起源，因为它通过利用拟议的“多层聚合物电解质膜”（MLPEM）中的离子浓度梯度来运行，其中每层中含有不同的离子浓度，从而产生内部电压。所提出的电池设计的浓度梯度方法在概念上类似于电鳗的神经元操作，其中数千个受神经支配和非受神经支配的细胞膜能够产生约600伏的内部电压来抵御捕食者。就像电鳗的神经网络允许这种电压再生一样，所提出的MLPEM电池可以自行充电。 该项目中自充电电池的工作原理是，移动的锂阳离子在放电期间将被输送到阴极，但在电池静止期间将返回到阳极，从而恢复离子浓度梯度并因此恢复电压。本项目将通过合成和加工允许离子浓度梯度的多层聚合物电解质膜来探索这些方面，评估并尝试优化电池的离子电导率，热和电化学稳定性以及机械性能。 如果成功，该项目可能会造福社会，导致新的重量轻，形状一致，热和电化学稳定，阻燃，自充电电池。该项目还包括通过对学生的跨学科培训和推广活动将研究与教育相结合。技术概要：该项目的灵感来自于身体的神经回路，作为基于神经传递机制的新型固态电池的范例，例如由电鳗产生高电压，然后进行内部充电。它集中在五个重点领域：（1）开发与电极具有特定化学和电化学相容性的全固态多层聚合物电解质膜（MLPEM），以提高储能容量。MLPEM将通过光聚合网络前体（聚（乙二醇）二丙烯酸酯）/固体增塑剂（丁二腈）/离子盐（双三氟磺酰亚胺锂）堆叠具有不同离子群的单个聚合物电解质（PEM）层来制造。因此，在MLPEM中产生的离子浓度梯度将在膜界面上产生电势差，从而提供电池的自充电能力。(2)在含有增塑剂和改性剂的多组分固体电解质中通过全息光聚合诱导的相分离制造具有各种浓度梯度的定向排列的相分离域，作为产生微电解质电池网络的手段。(3)合成PEM添加剂如氨基-羰基氨基甲酸酯和氨基-氨基甲酸酯以防止在电极上形成不受控制的固体电解质界面。(4)将聚（乙二醇）二胺接枝到多壁碳纳米管（MWCNT）上，然后与氨基甲酸酯衍生物进行封端反应，以改善MLPEM与碳质阳极的界面相容性，同时增加离子电导率。(5)通过接枝锂化PEG链和/或树枝状PEG来修饰MWCNT表面，以提高锂离子储存容量并为电子和离子传导提供单独的途径。锂化树状超支化PEG的网络在结构和功能上类似于神经元网络。离子电导率和迁移率将通过AC阻抗、固态NMR和拉曼光谱测定。电化学稳定性将通过循环伏安法和恒电流充电/放电循环在半电池配置中进行评价。由于MLPEM的离子浓度梯度提供的电极之间的自恢复电势差，电池在静止状态下可再充电，从而延长电池寿命。该项目包括通过对学生进行跨学科培训和外展活动来整合研究和教育。