Phys.org September 2, 2024
A key impediment for lithium battery technologies is the utilization of flammable organic solvent-based electrolytes which pose significant safety risks, and the recyclability of batteries has not reached the level required for transitioning to a circular economy. Researchers in Germany described poly(ionic liquid)-based dual network gel electrolytes as safer and sustainable alternative materials. The materials employed both, dynamic and covalent crosslinking, allowing the fabrication of mechanically stable gels with a high content (up to 65 wt%) of ionic liquid/salt both via thermal and photo polymerization. Mechanical stability, combined with enhanced ionic conductivity was achieved via the synergetic combination of dynamic non-covalent and covalent crosslinking which resulted in improved electrochemical and thermal stability by the embedded ionic liquid. The presence of the dynamic crosslinks facilitated reprocessing without compromising the electrochemical performance, thus reaching full recyclability and reusability… read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLEÂ