Li6.28La3Zr2Al0.24O12-reinforced Single-ion Conducting Composite Polymer Electrolyte for Room-Temperature Li-Metal Batteries

Composite polymer electrolytes composed of inorganic fillers and organic polymers are promising electrolyte candidates for Li metal batteries, with benefits of improved safety and suppressed lithium dendrite growth. However, a severe concentration polarization effect often occurs when using conventional dual-ion electrolytes, and the increase in internal impedance during cycling results in decreased lifespan of the battery. To address this challenge, a plasticized single-ion conducting composite polymer electrolyte (SICE) was designed and fabricated by polymerizing the monomers of lithium (4-styrenesulfonyl) (trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide (LiSTFSI) and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate (PEGMEA), crosslinker poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA), silane-modified Li6.28La3Al0.24Zr2O12 nanofibers (s@LLAZO NFs), along with a PEG-based plasticizer tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TEGDME), by heat-initiation. The anions were restrained and delocalized so that only Li cation migration occurred during the charging/discharging process, leading to a superior lithium-ion transference number. The s@LLAZO NFs enabled direct monomer grafting with the polymer matrix, resulting in controlled formation of an organic-inorganic network with increased filler content and improved filler distribution in the SICE system. The SICE membrane exhibited high ionic conductivity at room temperature, reduced activation energy and excellent oxidation stability. Most importantly, the all-solid-state Li-metal batteries assembled with the fabricated SICE demonstrated stable long-term cycling performance and remarkable rate capability at room temperature.