Vinylimidazole-Based Polymer Electrolytes with Superior Conductivity and Promising Electrochemical Performance for Calcium Batteries

Shreyas Pathreeker, Ian D. Hosein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Calcium batteries are next-generation energy storage technologies with promising techno-economic benefits. However, performance bottlenecks associated with conventional electrolytes with oxygen-based coordination chemistries must be overcome to enable faster cation transport. Here, we report an imidazole-based polymer electrolyte with the highest reported conductivity and promising electrochemical properties. The polymerization of vinylimidazole in the presence of calcium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (Ca(TFSI)2) salt creates a gel electrolyte comprising a polyvinyl imidazole (PVIm) host infused with vinylimidazole liquid. Calcium ions effectively coordinate with imidazole groups, and the electrolytes present room temperature conductivities of >1 mS/cm. Reversible redox activity in symmetric Ca cells is demonstrated at 2 V overpotentials, stable cycles at 0.1 mA/cm2, and areal capacities of 0.1 mAh/cm2. Softer coordination, polarizability, and closer coordinating site distances of the imidazole groups can explain the enhanced properties. Hence, imidazole is a suitable chemical benchmark for the future design and advancement of polymer electrolytes for calcium batteries.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)6803-6811
Number of pages9
JournalACS Applied Polymer Materials
Volume4
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 14 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • batteries
  • calcium
  • electrolytes
  • energy
  • polymers
  • salts

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Process Chemistry and Technology
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Organic Chemistry

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