PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Polyoxometalates and ionic liquid enhance solid-state lithium-ion electrolyte performance

Polyoxometalates and ionic liquid enhance solid-state lithium-ion electrolyte performance
2023-10-12
(Press-News.org)

Polyoxometalates (POMs) containing charged lithium ions combined with ionic liquids, increase the ion conductivity of a solid-state electrolyte membrane.

 

Solid-state lithium-ion batteries depend on the movement of ions (charged atoms) in the solid, rather than liquid, state to either charge or discharge the battery.  These solid-state electrolytes are safer, more cost efficient and capable of higher energy densities than batteries that rely on liquid electrolyte solutions, but suffer from low ionic conductivity, or movement of ions, and poor thermal stability. A new composite solid electrolyte (CSE) membrane was synthesized using lithium salts and an ionic liquid to improve the dissociation, and therefore conductivity, of charged lithium atoms in a solid-state electrolyte battery.

 

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are clusters of metal and oxygen atoms with properties that are determined by the well-defined structure of the POM atom cluster.  Researchers from Northeast Normal University recently introduced a POM-based lithium salt, Li6P2Mo18O62 (LPM) into a solid-polymer electrolyte (SPE) made up of the polymer polyethylene oxide (PEO), an inexpensive and stable chain of many ethylene oxide subunits.  PEO suffers from low ionic conductivity, and the addition of LPM salt alters the properties of the polymer and enhances ion movement. The research team also incorporated an ionic liquid (IL) to free lithium ions from LPM, further improving the conductivity of the composite electrolyte material.

 

The team published their results in the journal Polyoxometalates on September 28, 2023.

 

“Solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) are considered… the most promising candidates for next-generation energy storage devices due to their excellent thermal and electrochemical stability. Although SPEs have excellent flexibility and viscosity, they are severely limited due to their low ionic conductivity, poor mechanical strength and low thermal stability at room temperature. In contrast, inorganic solid electrolytes (ISEs) like LPM... usually have high ionic conductivity. By incorporating ISEs like LPM into SPEs to form composite polymer electrolytes, we leverage their respective properties… to achieve optimized mechanical properties and improve their ionic conductivity,” said Hong-Ying Zang, senior author of the paper and professor in the Key Laboratory of Polyoxometalate and Reticular Material Chemistry at Northeast Normal University in Changchun, China.

 

“Currently, inorganic electrolyte fillers include nanoparticles… and ionic-conductive inorganics. As a class of metal-oxygen clusters, the application of polyoxometalates in solid-state batteries is hampered by the difficulty of moving lithium ions. In this paper, we promote the dissociation of lithium ions from polyoxometalates with ILs… to impart LPM and IL composites (LPM-IL) with good electrical conductivity,” said Zang.

The team characterized the ion conductivity and mobility of the composite membrane by measuring the AC impedance, or the resistance of current flow in a circuit.  The team found that electrolyte membranes containing the optimal concentration of LPM and IL demonstrated three times higher conductivity than membranes prepared without IL.

 

In a similar manner, the team determined that the conductivity of composite membranes generated with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a non-reactive thermoplastic filler material, in conjunction with PEO increased conductivity ten times compared to LPM-IL membranes synthesized without PVDF.  The composite membrane also demonstrated good stability over 12 hours at a temperature of 80℃. 

 

“The results of these experiments demonstrate that polyoxometalates can be used as inorganic solid electrolytes,” said Zang. IL effectively increased the dissociation of lithium ions from LPM and improved the ionic conductivity of the composite solid electrolyte membrane. The incorporation of PVDF also created a PEO-PVDF conductive network in the membrane that further promoted lithium ion movement, enhancing conductivity.

 

The research team believes their unique, PEO-based composite membrane containing PVDF, POM-based lithium salt and IL provides a practical means of increasing ionic conductivity in solid-state electrolytes for use in lithium-ion batteries.  “Our next step is to improve the performance of polyoxometalates to create better solid-state lithium-ion batteries,” said Zang.

 

Other contributors include Qianqian Liu, Yunzuo Cui, Lijie Zhu, Dongming Cheng, Chen Wang, Siqi Lu, Bo Li and Xinyu Chen from the Key Laboratory of Polyoxometalate and Reticular Material Chemistry at the Ministry of Education at Northeast Normal University in Changchun, China.

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 22302102, 21871042, 21471028, 22073094), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities-Excellent Youth Team Program (2412023YQ001), the Natural Science Foundation of Jilin Province (Grant No. 20200201083JC) and the Natural Science Foundation of Department of education of Jilin Province (JJKH20201169KJ).

 

##

About Polyoxometalates  

Polyoxometalates is a peer-reviewed, international and interdisciplinary research journal that focuses on all aspects of polyoxometalates, featured in rapid review and fast publishing, sponsored by Tsinghua University and published by Tsinghua University Press. Submissions are solicited in all topical areas, ranging from basic aspects of the science of polyoxometalates to practical applications of such materials. Polyoxometalates offers readers an attractive mix of authoritative and comprehensive Reviews, original cutting-edge research in Communication and Full Paper formats, Comments, and Highlight.

 

About SciOpen

SciOpen is a professional open access resource for discovery of scientific and technical content published by the Tsinghua University Press and its publishing partners, providing the scholarly publishing community with innovative technology and market-leading capabilities. SciOpen provides end-to-end services across manuscript submission, peer review, content hosting, analytics, and identity management and expert advice to ensure each journal’s development by offering a range of options across all functions as Journal Layout, Production Services, Editorial Services, Marketing and Promotions, Online Functionality, etc. By digitalizing the publishing process, SciOpen widens the reach, deepens the impact, and accelerates the exchange of ideas.

END


[Attachments] See images for this press release:
Polyoxometalates and ionic liquid enhance solid-state lithium-ion electrolyte performance Polyoxometalates and ionic liquid enhance solid-state lithium-ion electrolyte performance 2 Polyoxometalates and ionic liquid enhance solid-state lithium-ion electrolyte performance 3

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

New study unveils stretchable high-resolution user-interactive synesthesia displays for visual–acoustic encryption

New study unveils stretchable high-resolution user-interactive synesthesia displays for visual–acoustic encryption
2023-10-12
The future of human-machine interfaces is on the cusp of a revolution with the unveiling of a groundbreaking technology - a stretchable high-resolution multicolor synesthesia display that generates synchronized sound and light as input/output sources. A research team, led by Professor Moon Kee Choi in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at UNIST, has succeeded in developing this cutting-edge display using transfer-printing techniques, propelling the field of multifunctional displays into new realms of possibility. Traditionally, multifunctional ...

The advantage of digital-native brands setting up physical brand stores—and the challenge of preventing sales losses in existing channels

2023-10-12
Researchers from Erasmus School of Economics at Erasmus University Rotterdam, KU Leuven, Universität zu Lübeck, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, and FoodLabs published a new Journal of Marketing article that investigates the multichannel impact of brand stores by digital-native FMCG brands. The study, forthcoming in the Journal of Marketing, is titled “Assessing the Multichannel Impact of Brand Store Entry by a Digital-Native Grocery Brand” and is authored ...

Extreme habitats: Microbial life in Old Faithful Geyser

Extreme habitats: Microbial life in Old Faithful Geyser
2023-10-12
Contributed by Arianna Soldati, GSA Science Communication Fellow Pittsburgh, Pa., USA: An eruption of Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park is a sight to behold. Indeed, millions of tourists flock to the park each year to see it. Hot water and steam are ejected in the air to a height of 100–180 feet approximately every 90 minutes. Many adjectives come to mind to describe it: powerful, mesmerizing, unique, otherworldly . . . homey? Not so much. Yet new research by Lisa M. Keller, published on PNAS Nexus earlier this year and to be presented on Sunday at the Geological Society of America’s GSA Connects 2023 meeting, shows that for ...

Inferring wildfire intensity from quartz luminescence

Inferring wildfire intensity from quartz luminescence
2023-10-12
Pittsburgh, Pa., USA: On 8 June 2020, the Mangum Fire ignited 16 miles north of the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. By the time it was mostly contained, about a month later, the fire had burned over 70,000 acres of land. April Phinney, a M.Sc. candidate at Utah State University, immediately started drafting a burn intensity map based on remote sensing data. Six months later, she set boots on the burned ground and started collecting soil samples, hoping they would contain quartz grains. This research ...

Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas awards grants to four TTUHSC Researchers

Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas awards grants to four TTUHSC Researchers
2023-10-12
The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) recently awarded grants to four researchers from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC). Combined, the grants will provide nearly $2.3 million that TTUHSC will use to conduct a pair of two-year pilot studies, acquire a state-of-the-art piece of laboratory equipment known as a cell sorter, and administer a colorectal cancer screening and prevention program.  Three of the recipients are from the TTUHSC School of Medicine, including Hongjun (Henry) Liang, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics; Min Kang, Pharm.D., a professor ...

Proof-of-concept method advances bioprocess engineering for a smoother transition to biofuels

Proof-of-concept method advances bioprocess engineering for a smoother transition to biofuels
2023-10-12
One of the primary goals of bioprocess engineering is to increase the yield of the desired material while maintaining high production rates and low raw material utilization. This optimization is usually accomplished by controlling the behavior of microorganisms used in the process and ensuring that their biological capabilities are fully utilized. This control may be computerized (in silico feedforward) or autonomous (in-cell feedback) which predicts the optimization based on inputs received. However, a process-model mismatch (PMM) occurs when there is a discrepancy between the predicted and actual production processes. A recent paper published in Scientific Reports demonstrates a ...

Revolutionizing energy storage: Metal nanoclusters for stable lithium–sulfur batteries

Revolutionizing energy storage: Metal nanoclusters for stable lithium–sulfur batteries
2023-10-12
The demand for efficient energy storage systems is ever increasing, especially due to the recent emergence of intermittent renewable energy and the adoption of electric vehicles. In this regard, lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs), which can store three to five times more energy than traditional lithium-ion batteries, have emerged as a promising solution. LSBs use lithium as the anode and sulfur as the cathode, but this combination poses challenges. One significant issue is the “shuttle effect,” in which intermediate lithium polysulfide ...

Toward a global scientific consensus: identifying vulnerable marine ecosystems through imagery

Toward a global scientific consensus: identifying vulnerable marine ecosystems through imagery
2023-10-12
The scientific community is taking a significant step towards establishing a consensus on the designation of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) from imagery data, as highlighted in the new article titled "Towards a scientific community consensus on designating Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems from imagery," authored by Dr. Amy R. Baco and colleagues, and published in PeerJ Life & Environment.    “Many scientists around the world were working independently on a similar question: Given the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) regulations for deep-sea Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems ...

Surprising discovery shows electron beam radiation can repair nanostructures

Surprising discovery shows electron beam radiation can repair nanostructures
2023-10-12
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (10/12/2023)—In a surprising new study, researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities have found that the electron beam radiation that they previously thought degraded crystals can actually repair cracks in these nanostructures.  The groundbreaking discovery provides a new pathway to create more perfect crystal nanostructures, a process that is critical to improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of materials that are used in virtually all electronic devices we use every day. “For ...

UTSA study could remove carbon emissions from atmosphere

UTSA study could remove carbon emissions from atmosphere
2023-10-12
Zachary Tonzetich, an associate professor in the UTSA College of Sciences’ chemistry department, is part of a duo that has been awarded a one-year, $100,000 grant from The Welch Foundation for a project that could remove carbon emissions from the atmosphere. Tonzetich and his research collaborator Anthony Cozzolino, an associate professor in Texas Tech University’s chemistry department, were the recipients of a WelchX pilot grant this past August. The WelchX program brings together leading chemistry researchers from across Texas to address challenging issues that are ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Can’t sleep? Insomnia associated with accelerated brain aging

Study links teacher turnover to higher rates of student suspensions, disciplinary referrals

How harmful bacteria hijack crops

Crowded conditions muddle frogs’ mating choices

A new way to guide light, undeterred

Researchers uncover how COVID-19 may linger in cancer patients and affect treatment outcomes

Tiny metal figurines from Sardinia's Nuragic civilization in around 1,000 BC reveal extensive ancient Mediterranean metal trading networks

Natural microfibers may degrade differently to synthetic materials under simulated sunlight exposure in freshwater and seawater conditions, with implications for how such pollutants affect aquatic lif

Indian new mums report better postpartum wellbeing when their own mum acts as their primary support - while women whose mother-in-law is the primary caregiver instead report significantly lower overal

Young adult intelligence and education are correlated with socioeconomic status in midlife

Traditional and “existential” wellness vary significantly between US regions

Smartwatches detect early signs of PTSD among those watching coverage of the Oct 7 attacks in Israel

The pandemic may have influenced the trainability of dogs, as reported by their owners

The withdrawal of U.S. funding for tuberculosis could lead to up to 2.2 million additional deaths between 2025 and 2030 inclusive

A ‘universal’ therapy against the seasonal flu? Antibody cocktail targets virus weak spot

Could robots help kids conquer reading anxiety? New study from the Department of Computer Science at UChicago suggests so

UCSB-designed soft robot intubation device could save lives

Burial Site challenges stereotypes of Stone Age women and children

Protein found in the eye and blood significantly associated with cognition scores

USF study reveals how menopause impacts women’s voices – and why it matters

AI salespeople aren’t better than humans… yet

Millions of men could benefit from faster scan to diagnose prostate cancer

Simulations solve centuries-old cosmic mystery – and discover new class of ancient star systems

MIT study explains how a rare gene variant contributes to Alzheimer’s disease

Race, ethnicity, insurance payer, and pediatric cardiac arrest survival

High-intensity exercise and hippocampal integrity in adults with cannabis use disorder

“Brain dial” for consumption found in mice

Lung cancer rewires immune cells in the bone marrow to weaken body’s defenses

Researchers find key to Antarctic ice loss blowing in the north wind

Ten years after the discovery, gravitational waves verify Stephen Hawking's Black Hole Area Theorem

[Press-News.org] Polyoxometalates and ionic liquid enhance solid-state lithium-ion electrolyte performance