Abstract
Modified polyolefin separators fabricated via a roll-to-roll system exhibit markedly improved compatibility with lithium ion battery electrolytes. Zwitterionic molecules containing a perfluorophenyl azide functional group were synthesized and covalently bound to the surface of commercial polyolefin separators via UV-activated photochemistry. A roll-to-roll prototype system was constructed allowing for the functionalization of large areas of separator under ambient conditions at low cost. Lithium-ion battery cells containing the modified separators exhibit superior electrochemical performance using a common commercial electrolyte. The modified separators, both monolayer PE and trilayer PP/PE/PP, are wetted instantly upon contact with liquid electrolytes lacking linear carbonates. These electrolytes have been designed for use in batteries with advanced thermal stability properties and/or higher voltage windows, which have previously been hindered by incompatibility with commercial trilayer polyolefin separators. This scalable modification technique is able to meet the rapidly growing demand for low-cost, high-performance separators for safer lithium-ion batteries.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 3292-3300 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | ACS Applied Energy Materials |
Volume | 1 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 23 Jul 2018 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- lithium-ion battery
- perfluorophenyl azide photochemistry
- polyolefin separator
- roll-to-roll process
- surface modification
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Chemical Engineering (miscellaneous)
- Energy Engineering and Power Technology
- Materials Chemistry
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Electrochemistry