Cross-linked solid-polymer electrolytes, methods of making same, and uses thereof
Solid-polymer electrolytes, methods of making solid-polymer electrolytes, and uses of solid-polymer electrolytes. A solid-polymer electrolyte comprises a cross-linked polymer network. A cross-linked polymer network may comprise a plurality of groups, which may be cross-linked groups, such as, for example, cross-linked difunctional polyether groups, cross-linked difunctional ionic groups, non-crosslinked groups, which may be referred to as “dangling” groups, or a combination thereof, and a plurality of cross-linked multifunctional crosslinker groups. A solid polymer electrolyte can be formed by polymerization. A solid polymer electrolyte can be formed in situ in a device. A solid polymer electrolyte can be used in devices such as, for example, batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, and the like.
1 . A solid-polymer electrolyte comprising a cross-linked polymer network, the cross-linked polymer network comprising:
a plurality of groups chosen from cross-linked difunctional polyether groups, cross-linked difunctional ionic groups(s), and combinations thereof, and
a plurality of cross-linked multifunctional crosslinker groups,
wherein individual cross-linked difunctional polyether groups and/or individual cross-linked difunctional ionic groups and individual cross-linked multifunctional crosslinker groups are covalently bonded by at least one crosslinking group comprising a thioether group, wherein each crosslinking group comprises a carbon-carbon bond to a cross-linked difunctional polyether group and does not comprise a —C(O)O— group.
2 . The solid-polymer electrolyte of claim 1 , wherein the solid-polymer electrolyte further comprises one or more non-crosslinked group(s), individual non-crosslinked group(s) having at least one terminal group not covalently bound to the cross-linked polymer network and the individual non-crosslinked group(s) covalently bonded to the cross-linked polymer network via a group comprising a thioether group.
3 . The solid-polymer electrolyte of claim 1 , wherein the solid-polymer electrolyte has a M x (molecular weight between crosslinks) of 44-10,000 g/mol, including all 0.1 g/mol values and ranges therebetween.
4 . The solid-polymer electrolyte of claim 1 , wherein the solid-polymer of the solid-polymer electrolyte comprises amorphous and/or crystalline domains.
5 . The solid-polymer electrolyte of claim 1 , wherein the solid-polymer electrolyte comprises a network of entangled polymer chains.
6 . The solid-polymer electrolyte of claim 1 , wherein the solid-polymer electrolyte comprises one or more conducting salt(s).
7 . The solid-polymer electrolyte of claim 1 , wherein the solid-polymer electrolyte further comprises one or more liquid electrolyte(s).
8 . A device comprising one or more solid-polymer electrolyte(s) of claim 1 .
9 . The solid-polymer electrolyte of claim 1 , wherein the crosslinking groups are independently chosen from
groups, wherein R′ is chosen from alkyl groups and alkenyl groups.
10 . The solid-polymer electrolyte of claim 1 , wherein cross-linked difunctional polyether groups are independently chosen from
wherein n is independently at each occurrence 0 to 250.
11 . The solid-polymer electrolyte of claim 1 , wherein the cross-linked multifunctional crosslinker groups are independently chosen from:
wherein n is independently at each occurrence 0 to 250.
12 . A solid-polymer electrolyte comprising a cross-linked polymer network, the cross-linked polymer network comprising:
a plurality of cross-linked difunctional polyether groups independently chosen from:
wherein in n is 0 to 250,
a plurality of one or more non-crosslinked group(s), individual non-crosslinked group(s) having at least one terminal group not covalently bound to the cross-linked polymer network and the individual non-crosslinked group(s) covalently bonded to the cross-linked polymer network via a group comprising a thioether group;
a plurality of cross-linked difunctional ionic groups(s) and/or one or more liquid electrolyte(s), and
a plurality of cross-linked multifunctional crosslinker groups independently chosen from:
wherein n is independently at each occurrence 0 to 250,
wherein individual cross-linked difunctional polyether groups and/or individual cross-linked difunctional ionic groups(s) and individual cross-linked multifunctional crosslinker groups are covalently bonded by at least one crosslinking group comprising a thioether group, wherein each thioether group comprises a carbon-carbon bond to a cross-linked difunctional polyether group.