Synthesis and Characterization of Vitrimer-like Self-Healing Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium Metal Batteries

Abstract

Solid-polymer electrolytes have become crucially significant with the fast-expanding energy requirements in both the academic and industrial spheres due to their better safety and energy density compared to liquid electrolytes. Despite these encouraging possibilities, a few obstacles are associated with these electrolytes, chief among them being the limited charge transport via the solid electrode-electrolyte interface. Due to the difference in electrochemical potential between the electrode and the electrolyte, this obstruction initiates electrode-electrolyte interactions through electrode volumetric changes, interface reactions, and space charge layers.One possible way to enhance the LIB performance could be by integrating a new class of covalent adaptable networks called vitrimers.The self-healing, shape memory, recyclability, and reprocessibility properties of vitrimers, a class of covalent adaptable networks (CANs), are derived from a covalent molecular network that can change its topology through molecular rearrangements while maintaining the overall number of network bonds. In this manner, Li dendrites that might develop during battery cycling could be eliminated and the electrolyte-electrode contact could be restored by vitrimers. Figure 1