The University of Houston presented its research on the advantages of using polymer electrolytes in lithium ion batteries. This research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society as part of the 245th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society. The abstract on Polymer Electrolytes follows:
Next generation polymer nanocomposite electrolytes for lithium ion batteries
Haleh Ardebili, University of Houston
Phone: 713-743-4500
Email: hardebili@uh.edu
Polymer electrolytes offer many advantages compared to liquid electrolytes used in lithium ion batteries, including safety, stability and thin film manufacturability. Nanoscale fillers can enhance Li ion conductivity as well as the mechanical properties of polymer electrolytes. In this study, we investigate the role of nanofillers in enhancing ion conductivity including experimental results as well as insights from our continuum-level model and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Novel nanoscale fillers including hybrid clay-carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for next generation polymer electrolytes will also be discussed. We show that CNTs grown and insulated within clay layers can work as effective hybrid 3D nanofillers and improve Li ion conductivity of PEO electrolyte by almost two orders of magnitude with significant enhancement in tensile strength. Ion conductivity enhancement can be attributed to the high surface density of the hybrid fillers and the strong interactions between the CNT's negative electron cloud and positive lithium ions.
Next generation polymer nanocomposite electrolytes for lithium ion batteries
Haleh Ardebili, University of Houston
Phone: 713-743-4500
Email: hardebili@uh.edu
Polymer electrolytes offer many advantages compared to liquid electrolytes used in lithium ion batteries, including safety, stability and thin film manufacturability. Nanoscale fillers can enhance Li ion conductivity as well as the mechanical properties of polymer electrolytes. In this study, we investigate the role of nanofillers in enhancing ion conductivity including experimental results as well as insights from our continuum-level model and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Novel nanoscale fillers including hybrid clay-carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for next generation polymer electrolytes will also be discussed. We show that CNTs grown and insulated within clay layers can work as effective hybrid 3D nanofillers and improve Li ion conductivity of PEO electrolyte by almost two orders of magnitude with significant enhancement in tensile strength. Ion conductivity enhancement can be attributed to the high surface density of the hybrid fillers and the strong interactions between the CNT's negative electron cloud and positive lithium ions.
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