Bicontinuous Polymer-Liquid Electrolytes
Advancing Laminated Structural Batteries for Balanced Performance
Time: Tue 2024-12-10 10.00
Location: F3 (Flodis), Lindstedtsvägen 26 & 28, Stockholm
Video link: https://kth-se.zoom.us/j/61737431674
Language: English
Subject area: Fibre and Polymer Science
Doctoral student: Lynn Maria Schneider , Teknisk mekanik, Skolan för kemi, bioteknologi och hälsa (CBH)
Opponent: Associate Professor Natasha Shirshova, Durham University, England
Supervisor: Professor Göran Lindbergh, Tillämpad elektrokemi; Professor Dan Zenkert, Solidmekanik och strukturer
QC 20241113
Abstract
The transport sector significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, driving the shift toward electric vehicles. However, the range of electric vehicles is limited due to the need for heavy battery packs. One approach to reduce this mass is through multifunctional materials, such as laminated structural batteries (SBs), which combine structural integrity with energy storage. Laminated SBs consist of carbon fibers embedded in a multifunctional polymer matrix, known as a structural electrolyte. Here, carbon fibers provide structural support, act as electrodes, and serve as current collectors, while the structural electrolyte enables ion conduction and mechanical load transfer. This thesis explores how varying structural electrolyte compositions and processing conditions influence the multifunctional properties, with a focus on their integration into laminated SBs. The research demonstrates the effectiveness of thermally-initiated polymerization-induced phase separation, producing full-cell laminated SBs with bicontinuous polymer-liquid electrolytes (i.e. structural electrolytes). These electrolytes feature diverse morphologies that impact ionic conductivity and storage modulus, presenting safer and more environmentally compatible formulations with adequate structural electrode performance. Long-term studies reveal an effect of structural electrolyte formulation on the structural electrode performance and how fiber-matrix adhesion is affected under repeated charging/discharging. Finally, a state-of-the-art, SB is presented with fibers in both electrodes, achieving an excellent balance of energy density and mechanical performance. This work lays a foundation for future advancements in SB technology, identifying challenges and opportunities to enhance multifunctional properties.