Solid-State Lithium-Ion Conductor via Reversible Self-Assembly of Aramid Amphiphiles

Abstract

Lithium-ion batteries are critical in advancing carbon neutrality and sustainable development. However, their end-of-life management and the recyclability remain significant challenges. We investigated an alternative approach to improve the recyclability of lithium-ion batteries by incorporating a layer of reversible materials, acting as an 'upon-disposal switch.' This switch facilitates the smooth delamination of battery components upon recycle process, enabling a more efficient and clean separation of battery components to facilitate direct recycling. Inspired by the principles of biodegradability, we explore the use of organic small molecule self-assembled nanoribbons as the reversible layer integrated in the battery cell. These supramolecular nanoribbons are tailored to overcome the typical stability issues of self-assembled nanostructure and conduct lithium-ion as a solid-state electrolyte. This study delves into the performance and transport mechanisms of these supramolecular nanomaterials and presents a proof-of-concept demonstration of direct recyclability. Figure 1