Phase regulation enabling dense polymer-based composite electrolytes for solid-state lithium metal batteries

Abstract

Solid polymer electrolytes with large-scale processability and interfacial compatibility are promising candidates for solid-state lithium metal batteries. Among various systems, poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based polymer electrolytes with residual solvent are appealing for room-temperature battery operations. However, their porous structure and limited ionic conductivity hinder practical application. Herein, we propose a phase regulation strategy to disrupt the symmetry of poly(vinylidene fluoride) chains and obtain the dense composite electrolyte through the incorporation of MoSe₂ sheets. The electrolyte with high dielectric constant can optimize the solvation structures to achieve high ionic conductivity and low activation energy. The in-situ reactions between MoSe₂ and Li metal generate Li₂Se fast conductor in solid electrolyte interphase, which improves the Coulombic efficiency and interfacial kinetics. The solid-state Li||Li cells achieve robust cycling at 1 mA cm⁻², and the Li||LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ full cells show practical performance at high rate (3C), high loading (2.6 mAh cm⁻²) and in pouch cell.

Polymer electrolytes based on poly(vinylidene fluoride) with residual solvents are appealing for room-temperature battery operations. Here, the authors present a phase regulation approach to achieve a dense electrolyte and enhance ionic conductivity through the incorporation of MoSe₂ sheets.