Efficient Biorenewable Membranes in Lithium-Oxygen Batteries

Lithium-oxygen batteries, with their very high energy density (3500 Wh kg<sup>−1</sup>), could represent a real breakthrough in the envisioned strategies towards more efficient energy storage solutions for a less and less carbonated energy mix. However, the problems associated with this...

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Main Authors: Julia Amici, Giorgio Banaudi, Mattia Longo, Matteo Gandolfo, Michael Zanon, Carlotta Francia, Silvia Bodoardo, Marco Sangermano
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-07-01
Series:Polymers
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/15/3182
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author Julia Amici
Giorgio Banaudi
Mattia Longo
Matteo Gandolfo
Michael Zanon
Carlotta Francia
Silvia Bodoardo
Marco Sangermano
author_facet Julia Amici
Giorgio Banaudi
Mattia Longo
Matteo Gandolfo
Michael Zanon
Carlotta Francia
Silvia Bodoardo
Marco Sangermano
author_sort Julia Amici
collection DOAJ
description Lithium-oxygen batteries, with their very high energy density (3500 Wh kg<sup>−1</sup>), could represent a real breakthrough in the envisioned strategies towards more efficient energy storage solutions for a less and less carbonated energy mix. However, the problems associated with this technology are numerous. A first one is linked to the high reactivity of the lithium metal anode, while a second one is linked to the highly oxidative environment created by the cell’s O<sub>2</sub> saturation. Keeping in mind the necessity for greener materials in future energy storage solutions, in this work an innovative lithium protective membrane is prepared based on chitosan, a polysaccharide obtained from the deacetylation reaction of chitin. Chitosan was methacrylated through a simple, one-step reaction in water and then cross-linked by UV-induced radical polymerization. The obtained membranes were successively activated in liquid electrolyte and used as a lithium protection layer. The cells prepared with protected lithium were able to reach a higher full discharge capacity, and the chitosan’s ability to slow down degradation processes was verified by post-mortem analyses. Moreover, in long cycling conditions, the protected lithium cell performed more than 40 cycles at 0.1 mA cm<sup>−2</sup>, at a fixed capacity of 0.5 mAh cm<sup>−2</sup>, retaining 100% coulombic efficiency, which is more than twice the lifespan of the bare lithium cell.
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spelling doaj.art-8624158e5415406f8afc2b09509478112023-11-18T23:27:41ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602023-07-011515318210.3390/polym15153182Efficient Biorenewable Membranes in Lithium-Oxygen BatteriesJulia Amici0Giorgio Banaudi1Mattia Longo2Matteo Gandolfo3Michael Zanon4Carlotta Francia5Silvia Bodoardo6Marco Sangermano7Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, c.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, ItalyDepartment of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, c.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, ItalyDepartment of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, c.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, ItalyDepartment of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, c.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, ItalyDepartment of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, c.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, ItalyDepartment of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, c.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, ItalyDepartment of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, c.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, ItalyDepartment of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, c.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, ItalyLithium-oxygen batteries, with their very high energy density (3500 Wh kg<sup>−1</sup>), could represent a real breakthrough in the envisioned strategies towards more efficient energy storage solutions for a less and less carbonated energy mix. However, the problems associated with this technology are numerous. A first one is linked to the high reactivity of the lithium metal anode, while a second one is linked to the highly oxidative environment created by the cell’s O<sub>2</sub> saturation. Keeping in mind the necessity for greener materials in future energy storage solutions, in this work an innovative lithium protective membrane is prepared based on chitosan, a polysaccharide obtained from the deacetylation reaction of chitin. Chitosan was methacrylated through a simple, one-step reaction in water and then cross-linked by UV-induced radical polymerization. The obtained membranes were successively activated in liquid electrolyte and used as a lithium protection layer. The cells prepared with protected lithium were able to reach a higher full discharge capacity, and the chitosan’s ability to slow down degradation processes was verified by post-mortem analyses. Moreover, in long cycling conditions, the protected lithium cell performed more than 40 cycles at 0.1 mA cm<sup>−2</sup>, at a fixed capacity of 0.5 mAh cm<sup>−2</sup>, retaining 100% coulombic efficiency, which is more than twice the lifespan of the bare lithium cell.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/15/3182lithium-oxygen batterymetallic lithium protectionphotopolymerizationbio-renewable resources
spellingShingle Julia Amici
Giorgio Banaudi
Mattia Longo
Matteo Gandolfo
Michael Zanon
Carlotta Francia
Silvia Bodoardo
Marco Sangermano
Efficient Biorenewable Membranes in Lithium-Oxygen Batteries
Polymers
lithium-oxygen battery
metallic lithium protection
photopolymerization
bio-renewable resources
title Efficient Biorenewable Membranes in Lithium-Oxygen Batteries
title_full Efficient Biorenewable Membranes in Lithium-Oxygen Batteries
title_fullStr Efficient Biorenewable Membranes in Lithium-Oxygen Batteries
title_full_unstemmed Efficient Biorenewable Membranes in Lithium-Oxygen Batteries
title_short Efficient Biorenewable Membranes in Lithium-Oxygen Batteries
title_sort efficient biorenewable membranes in lithium oxygen batteries
topic lithium-oxygen battery
metallic lithium protection
photopolymerization
bio-renewable resources
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/15/3182
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