21 May Encapsulation of LiCoO2 particles with lithium containing polymer for solid state lithium-ion battery cathodes Back to Sci. Publications

ABSTRACT

In the present work, LiNbO₃ coated LiCoO₂ particles are encapsulated with lithium containing polymer by use of reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) assisted encapsulating polymerization (REEP) for application in solid-state lithium-ion battery technology. Two different trithiocarbonate macroRAFT agents are explored, namely poly (methacrylic acid (MAA)-stat-butyl methacrylate (BMA)) and poly (2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA), for the adsorption onto the surface of LiNbO₃ coated LiCoO₂ particles, revealing superior adsorption characteristics by the former. In accordance with the REEP process, the adsorbed macroRAFT is chain extended with poly (ethylene glycol) methacrylate and the crosslinker ethylene glycol dimethacrylate to generate hydrogels adsorbed to the surface of the lithium metal oxide particles. Incorporation of lithium 3-[(trifluoromethane)sulfonamidosulfonyl]propyl methacrylate (LiMFTSI) into these hydrogels via REEP copolymerization is successfully demonstrated. The present results offer a promising route to encapsulation of LiNbO₃ coated LiCoO₂ particles, with a view to addressing the challenges associated with the degradation of ionic conductivity between the active material and solid electrolyte in composite electrodes.

KEYWORDS

Encapsulation, RAFT polymerization, Solid-state batteries, Ionic conductivity

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