BIODEGRADABLE ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICE
A biodegradable solid aqueous electrolyte composition, an electrochemical device incorporating the electrolyte composition, and methods for the same are provided. The electrolyte composition may include a rubber-like hydrogel including a copolymer and a salt. The copolymer may include at least two polycaprolactone chains coupled with a polymeric center block. The polymeric center block may include polyvinyl alcohol. The hydrogel may be biodegradable. The electrochemical device may include an anode, a cathode, and the electrolyte composition disposed between the anode and the cathode.
1 . An electrolyte composition, comprising a rubber-like hydrogel including a copolymer and a salt, wherein the copolymer comprises at least two polycaprolactone chains attached to a polymeric center block, wherein the polymeric center block comprises polyvinyl alcohol, and wherein the hydrogel is biodegradable.
2 . The electrolyte composition of claim 1 , wherein the polyvinyl alcohol comprises a degree of hydrolysis of less than about 80%.
3 . The electrolyte composition of claim 1 , wherein the polyvinyl alcohol comprises a degree of hydrolysis of from about 30% to less than about 80%.
4 . The electrolyte composition of claim 1 , wherein the polyvinyl alcohol comprises a degree of hydrolysis of from about 60% to less than about 80%.
5 . The electrolyte composition of claim 1 , wherein the polyvinyl alcohol comprises a degree of hydrolysis of from about 60% to about 75%.
6 . The electrolyte composition of claim 1 , wherein the polyvinyl alcohol comprises a degree of hydrolysis of about 75%.
7 . The electrolyte composition of claim 1 , wherein the copolymer comprises a mole ratio of caprolactone to polyvinyl alcohol of from about 0.2:1 to about 1:1.
8 . The electrolyte composition of claim 1 , wherein the copolymer comprises a mole ratio of caprolactone to polyvinyl alcohol of from about 0.25:1 to about 0.75:1.
9 . The electrolyte composition of claim 1 , wherein the copolymer comprises a mole ratio of caprolactone to polyvinyl alcohol of from about 0.3:1 to about 0.7:1.
10 . The electrolyte composition of claim 1 , wherein the polyvinyl alcohol comprises a degree of hydrolysis of less than about 80%, and wherein the copolymer comprises a mole ratio of caprolactone to polyvinyl alcohol of from about 0.2:1 to about 1:1.
11 . The electrolyte composition of claim 10 , wherein the polyvinyl alcohol comprises a degree of hydrolysis of from about 30% to less than 80%.
12 . The electrolyte composition of claim 10 , wherein the copolymer comprises a mole ratio of caprolactone to polyvinyl alcohol of from about 0.25:1 to about 0.75:1.
13 . The electrolyte composition of claim 1 , wherein the copolymer comprises caprolactone in an amount of from about 5 wt % to about 20 wt %.
14 . The electrolyte composition of claim 1 , wherein the copolymer comprises caprolactone in an amount of from about 8 wt % to about 20 wt %.
15 . An electrochemical device, comprising:
an anode;
a cathode; and
an electrolyte composition disposed between the anode and the cathode, wherein the electrolyte composition comprises a rubber-like hydrogel including a copolymer and a salt, wherein the copolymer comprises at least two polycaprolactone chains attached to a polymeric center block, wherein the polymeric center block comprises polyvinyl alcohol, and wherein the hydrogel is biodegradable.
16 . The electrochemical device of claim 15 , wherein the polyvinyl alcohol comprises a degree of hydrolysis of less than about 80%.
17 . The electrolyte composition of claim 15 , wherein the polyvinyl alcohol comprises a degree of hydrolysis of from about 60% to less than about 80%.
18 . The electrolyte composition of claim 15 , wherein the copolymer comprises a mole ratio of caprolactone to polyvinyl alcohol of from about 0.2:1 to about 1:1.
19 . The electrolyte composition of claim 15 , wherein the copolymer comprises a mole ratio of caprolactone to polyvinyl alcohol of from about 0.25:1 to about 0.75:1.
20 . The electrolyte composition of claim 15 , wherein the polyvinyl alcohol comprises a degree of hydrolysis of less than about 80%, and wherein the copolymer comprises a mole ratio of caprolactone to polyvinyl alcohol of from about 0.2:1 to about 1:1.