A polycarbonate electrolyte showing very high Li-ion conductivity

What is it about?

Solid polymer electrolytes are recently winning interest as solid-state alternatives to liquid electrolytes for electrochemical device applications, which range from high-energy density rechargeable batteries to solar cells, ion sensors and electrochromic displays. Above all, secondary Li batteries based on polymer electrolytes have the capabilities of outstanding performance in terms of easy processibility, mechanical stability, reliability and safety.

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Why is it important?

In this study, a simple carbon dioxide/epoxide alternating copolymer, poly(ethylene carbonate) (PEC), was used and evaluated as a novel ion-conductive polymer candidate instead of typical polyethers. We prepared very high concentrated PEC-Li salt mixtures and found that more than 80 % of Li ions were able to migrate in the PEC matrix.