Polymer composition with electrophilic groups for stabilization of lithium sulfur batteries
A polymer to be used as a binder for sulfur-based cathodes in lithium batteries that includes in its composition electrophilic groups capable of reaction with and entrapment of polysulfide species. Beneficial effects include reductions in capacity loss and ionic resistance gain.
1. An electrolyte comprising:
a polymer that comprises:
a first monomer that is ionically conductive; and
a second monomer that includes an electrophilic group capable of nucleophilic substitution; and
an electrolyte salt;
wherein the polymer comprises:
wherein
n is the total number of repeat units;
x is the mole fraction of the
monomer component, and 0<x<1;
R is alkyl C1-C4; and
R z is an electrophilic group susceptible to substitution by polysulfide and is selected from the group consisting of 2-chloroethyl; 2-bromoethyl, ω-chloropoly(ethylene glycol), ω-bromopoly(ethylene glycol), ω-methanesulfonatopoly(ethylene glycol), ω-(p-toluenesulfonato)poly(ethylene glycol) glycidyl, and ω-glycidylpoly(ethylene glycol).
2. The polymer of claim 1 wherein the electrolyte salt is a lithium salt.
3. A cathode comprising:
elemental sulfur;
carbon; and
an electrolyte comprising the electrolyte of claim 1 .
4. The cathode of claim 3 wherein the elemental sulfur is mixed with one or more additives selected from the group consisting of carbon, silica, aluminum oxide, and titanium dioxide to form a sulfur composite.
5. The cathode of claim 3 further comprising a current collector in electrical communication with the cathode.
6. An electrochemical cell comprising:
a cathode comprising;
elemental sulfur;
carbon; and
an electrolyte comprising the electrolyte of claim 1 ;
a lithium metal anode; and
a separator between the cathode and the anode, the separator providing a path for ionic conduction between the cathode and the anode.
7. The electrochemical cell of claim 6 further comprising a layer of the electrolyte between the cathode and the separator.
8. A block copolymer electrolyte comprising:
a first lamellar domain comprising a plurality of first polymer blocks comprising the polymer of claim 1 ; and
an electrolyte salt;
wherein the first lamellar domain forms a conductive portion of the electrolyte material; and
a second lamellar domain comprising a plurality of second polymer blocks, the second lamellar domain adjacent to the first lamellar domain;
wherein the second lamellar domain forms a structural portion of the electrolyte material.
9. The block copolymer electrolyte of claim 8 wherein the first lamellar domain and the second lamellar domain comprise a plurality of linear diblock copolymers.
10. The block copolymer electrolyte of claim 9 wherein the linear diblock copolymer has a molecular weight of at least 150,000 Daltons.
11. The block copolymer electrolyte of claim 9 wherein the linear diblock copolymer has a molecular weight of at least 350,000 Daltons.
12. The block copolymer electrolyte material of claim 8 wherein the first lamellar domain and the second lamellar domain comprise a plurality of linear triblock copolymers.
13. The block copolymer electrolyte of claim 8 wherein the second polymer blocks comprise a non-ionic-conducting polymer with a bulk modulus greater than 10 7 Pa at 90 degrees C.
14. The block copolymer electrolyte of claim 8 wherein the second polymer blocks comprise a component selected from a group comprising styrene, methacrylate, vinylpyridine, vinylcyclohexane, imide, amide, propylene, alphamethylstyrene and combinations thereof.