A Recyclable Solid Electrolyte for Li-Ion Batteries Composed of Supramolecular Nanostructures

Abstract

The recyclability of Li-ion batteries is a critical goal but is technically challenging and often impractical due to the complex structure of mixed materials and the irreversible process of production. We investigated the use of organic small molecule self-assembled nanoribbons as an electrolyte material because they offer precise spatial arrangement, high surface areas, tunable surface chemistry, and most notably here, reversible structural formation. In this study, we synthesized nanoribbons by self-assembly of aramid-containing amphiphiles that overcome structural stability problems, and we systematically modified the surface chemistry to promote Li-ion conductivity. We investigated the performance and transport mechanism of these supramolecular nanomaterials as a solid electrolyte for Li-ion batteries. Furthermore, we show direct recyclability of the end-of-life cell. Figure 1