ABSTRACT
The combination of a polymer-based 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-N-oxyl (TEMPO) catholyte and a zinc anode, together with a cost-efficient size-exclusion membrane, builds a new type of semi-organic, "green," hybrid-flow battery, which features a high potential range of up to 2 V, high efficiencies, and a long life time.
Subject(s)
Electric Power Supplies , Polymers/chemistry , Zinc/chemistry , Cyclic N-Oxides/chemistry , Electrochemical Techniques , ElectrodesABSTRACT
A solvent-free, melt polymerization process of a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) precursor for rechargeable organic radical batteries is proposed. Inâ situ carbon incorporation in the melted monomer phase yields a nanoscale homogenous polymer composite. Superior battery performances including higher power and cycling stability are attained by using the melt-polymerization method.
Subject(s)
Cyclic N-Oxides/chemistry , Electric Power Supplies , Methacrylates/chemistry , Carbon/chemistry , Nanostructures/chemistry , PolymerizationABSTRACT
This contribution describes the synthesis of block copolymers containing electrochemically active blocks, their micellization, and finally their use as micellar cathodes in a lithium battery. The self-assembly of the synthesized poly(styrene)-block-poly(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxy-4-yl methacrylate) (PS-b-PTMA) diblock copolymers is realized in a typical battery electrolyte made of 1 m lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate dissolved in a mixture of ethylene carbonate/diethyl carbonate/dimethyl carbonate(1:1:1, in volume). Dynamic light scattering and atomic force micro-scopy indicate the formation of well-defined spherical micelles with a PS core and a PTMA corona. The electrochemical properties of those micelles are further investigated. Cyclic voltammograms show a reversible redox reaction at 3.6 V (vs Li(+) /Li). The charge/discharge profiles indicate a flat and reversible plateau around 3.6 V (vs Li(+) /Li). Finally, the cycling performances of the micellar cathodes are demonstrated. Such self-assembled block copolymers open new opportunities for nanostructured organic radical batteries.
