Electrochemical characterization of a composite polymer electrolyte with improved lithium metal electrode interfacial properties

Abstract

In the development of rechargeable lithium polymer batteries it is of paramount importance to control the passivation phenomena occurring at the lithium electrode interface. It is well estabilished that the type and the growth of the lithium passivation layer is unpredictably influenced by the presence of liquid components and/or impurities in the electrolyte. Therefore, one approach to improve the stability of the lithium interface is the use of liquid-free, highly pure electrolytes. The electrochemical properties of a composite polymer electrolyte obtained by hot pressing a mixture of polyethylene oxide (PEO), a lithium salt (lithium tetrafluoroborate, LiBF4) and a powdered ceramic additive (γ-LiAlO2), will be presented and discussed. The electrochemical characterization included the determination of the ionic conductivity, the anodic break-down voltage and, most importantly, the stability of the lithium metal electrode interface and the lithium stripping-plating process efficiency. The main feature of this dry, true solid-state electrolyte is a very good compatibility with the lithium metal electrode, demonstrated by a very high lithium cycling efficiency, which approaches a value of 99%.