Exploring Polymer Electrolytes for use in Li-ion Batteries

可充电锂离子电池通常通过锂离子在电极之间的运动、通过微孔隔膜和有机溶剂的存在来工作。虽然预计全球锂离子电池市场将随着汽车电气化和消费者对电气性能需求的增加而增长，但目前存在一些严重的性能和安全问题，必须加以解决。与传统的锂离子电池相比，全固态等效电池具有更大的设计灵活性，具有更大的潜在能量密度，并且避免使用易燃电池材料。然而，在环境温度下通常观察到较大的电阻值，这限制了它们的广泛应用。基于聚对苯二甲酸乙酯（PET）的半结晶半芳族聚酯可能比固态电池中的现有材料具有竞争优势。该CDT学生项目与杜邦帝人薄膜公司（DTF）密切合作，旨在研究新型聚酯基材料的设计、合成和表征，以应用于锂离子电池中的固体聚合物电解质。一旦成功制备，电解质将通过阻抗谱分析以确定其功能和性能。性能最好的电解质将在全固态电池中进行测试，以确定在商用固态电池中使用这种聚合物电解质的可行性。除了所制备聚合物的物理特性外，该项目还将涉及合成聚合物化学的一些元素。

Rechargeable Li-ion batteries conventionally operate via the movement of Li ions between electrodes, through a microporous separator film and in the presence of an organic solvent. Whilst the global market for Li-ion batteries is predicted to increase from the electrification of vehicles and increasing consumer demand for electrical performances, several serious performance and safety concerns currently exist that must be addressed. When compared to conventional Li-ion batteries, all-solid-state equivalents permit greater design flexibility, exhibit greater potential energy densities and avoid the usage of flammable cell materials. However, larger resistance values are typically observed at ambient temperatures, which limits their widespread application. Semi-crystalline, semi-aromatic polyesters based on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) may offer a competitive advantage over incumbent materials in solid-state batteries. Working closely with DuPont Teijin Films (DTF), this CDT studentship aims to investigate the design, synthesis and characterisation of novel polyester-based materials for application as solid polymer electrolytes in Li-ion batteries. Once successfully prepared, the electrolytes will be analysed via impedance spectroscopy to determine their functionality and performance. The best performing electrolytes will then be tested in complete all-solid-state cells to determine the feasibility of using such polymer electrolytes in commercial solid-state cells. This project will involve some elements of synthetic polymer chemistry, in addition to the physical characterisation of the polymers prepared.