Gel-Based Electrolytes for Solid-State Electrochemical Devices

A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 19215

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems (CNR-IMM), 73100 Lecce, Italy
Interests: solid-state electrolytes; electrochromic devices; OLEDs; electrochemical sensors; printing techniques; nanomaterials

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Guest Editor
Centre for Cooperative Research on Alternative Energies (CIC energiGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 01510 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
Interests: solid-state electrolytes; polymer electrolytes; gel-polymer electrolytes; lithium-sulfur batteries; lithium-metal batteries

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Guest Editor
1. National Research Council, Institute of Nanotechnology (CNR-NANOTEC), Via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
2. Department of Mathematics and Physics “Ennio De Giorgi”, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Interests: electrochemistry; spectroelectrochemistry; electrochromism; energy storage; nanostructured semiconductor
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Electrolytes are a key element for the manufacturing of different kinds of electrochemical devices, such as dye-sensitized solar cells, energy-storage devices (supercapacitors, batteries, etc.), electrochromic devices, etc. In this context, there is a growing interest towards the development of large-area, flexible, low-cost, and safe electrochemical devices. For these reasons, research is moving towards full solid-state electrochemical devices based on polymeric electrolytes. Gel-based materials represent an interesting solution for the development of solid-state devices thanks to the perfect combination of chemical and physical properties. Indeed, gels show flexibility, mechanical robustness and no safety issues that could be related to liquid electrolytes. At the same time, thanks to the gel-like structure of this kind of electrolyte, good ionic conductivity at room temperature can be obtained.

Toward this purpose, two types of approaches are usually employed. Hybrid systems can be obtained by physically incorporating salts and solvents into a polymer matrix, or a chemical approach can be pursued to fix ionizable groups directly on the polymer chains. Both approaches present interesting prospects for the development of this research field.

This Special Issue is intended to cover the latest progress in the field of gel-based electrolytes for electrochemical devices. In particular, the Special Issue aims to gain insights into the development of new materials and production techniques as well as their technological applications.

Dr. Carmela Tania Prontera
Dr. Alexander Santiago Sánchez
Dr. Roberto Giannuzzi
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • gel-based electrolytes
  • solid-state electrochemical devices
  • gel-polymer electrolytes
  • polyelectrolyte gels
  • batteries
  • DSSC
  • electrochromic devices

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 6503 KiB  
Article
Dehydrofluorination Process of Poly(vinylidene difluoride) PVdF-Based Gel Polymer Electrolytes and Its Effect on Lithium-Sulfur Batteries
by Julen Castillo, Adrián Robles-Fernandez, Rosalía Cid, José Antonio González-Marcos, Michel Armand, Daniel Carriazo, Heng Zhang and Alexander Santiago
Gels 2023, 9(4), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9040336 - 14 Apr 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3577
Abstract
Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) are emerging as suitable candidates for high-performing lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) due to their excellent performance and improved safety. Within them, poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVdF) and its derivatives have been widely used as polymer hosts due to their ideal mechanical and [...] Read more.
Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) are emerging as suitable candidates for high-performing lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) due to their excellent performance and improved safety. Within them, poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVdF) and its derivatives have been widely used as polymer hosts due to their ideal mechanical and electrochemical properties. However, their poor stability with lithium metal (Li0) anode has been identified as their main drawback. Here, the stability of two PVdF-based GPEs with Li0 and their application in LSBs is studied. PVdF-based GPEs undergo a dehydrofluorination process upon contact with the Li0. This process results in the formation of a LiF-rich solid electrolyte interphase that provides high stability during galvanostatic cycling. Nevertheless, despite their outstanding initial discharge, both GPEs show an unsuitable battery performance characterized by a capacity drop, ascribed to the loss of the lithium polysulfides and their interaction with the dehydrofluorinated polymer host. Through the introduction of an intriguing lithium salt (lithium nitrate) in the electrolyte, a significant improvement is achieved delivering higher capacity retention. Apart from providing a detailed study of the hitherto poorly characterized interaction process between PVdF-based GPEs and the Li0, this study demonstrates the need for an anode protection process to use this type of electrolytes in LSBs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gel-Based Electrolytes for Solid-State Electrochemical Devices)
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14 pages, 3353 KiB  
Article
Collagen Membrane as Water-Based Gel Electrolyte for Electrochromic Devices
by Carmela Tania Prontera, Nunzia Gallo, Roberto Giannuzzi, Marco Pugliese, Vitantonio Primiceri, Fabrizio Mariano, Antonio Maggiore, Giuseppe Gigli, Alessandro Sannino, Luca Salvatore and Vincenzo Maiorano
Gels 2023, 9(4), 310; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9040310 - 6 Apr 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2095
Abstract
Bio-based polymers are attracting great interest due to their potential for several applications in place of conventional polymers. In the field of electrochemical devices, the electrolyte is a fundamental element that determines their performance, and polymers represent good candidates for developing solid-state and [...] Read more.
Bio-based polymers are attracting great interest due to their potential for several applications in place of conventional polymers. In the field of electrochemical devices, the electrolyte is a fundamental element that determines their performance, and polymers represent good candidates for developing solid-state and gel-based electrolytes toward the development of full-solid-state devices. In this context, the fabrication and characterization of uncrosslinked and physically cross-linked collagen membranes are reported to test their potential as a polymeric matrix for the development of a gel electrolyte. The evaluation of the membrane’s stability in water and aqueous electrolyte and the mechanical characterization demonstrated that cross-linked samples showed a good compromise in terms of water absorption capability and resistance. The optical characteristics and the ionic conductivity of the cross-linked membrane, after overnight dipping in sulfuric acid solution, demonstrated the potential of the reported membrane as an electrolyte for electrochromic devices. As proof of concept, an electrochromic device was fabricated by sandwiching the membrane (after sulfuric acid dipping) between a glass/ITO/PEDOT:PSS substrate and a glass/ITO/SnO2 substrate. The results in terms of optical modulation and kinetic performance of such a device demonstrated that the reported cross-linked collagen membrane could represent a valid candidate as a water-based gel and bio-based electrolyte for full-solid-state electrochromic devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gel-Based Electrolytes for Solid-State Electrochemical Devices)
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Review

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38 pages, 11551 KiB  
Review
Gel Polymer Electrolytes: Advancing Solid-State Batteries for High-Performance Applications
by Kanakaraj Aruchamy, Subramaniyan Ramasundaram, Sivasubramani Divya, Murugesan Chandran, Kyusik Yun and Tae Hwan Oh
Gels 2023, 9(7), 585; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9070585 - 21 Jul 2023
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 12571
Abstract
Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) hold tremendous potential for advancing high-energy-density and safe rechargeable solid-state batteries, making them a transformative technology for advancing electric vehicles. GPEs offer high ionic conductivity and mechanical stability, enabling their use in quasi-solid-state batteries that combine solid-state interfaces with [...] Read more.
Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) hold tremendous potential for advancing high-energy-density and safe rechargeable solid-state batteries, making them a transformative technology for advancing electric vehicles. GPEs offer high ionic conductivity and mechanical stability, enabling their use in quasi-solid-state batteries that combine solid-state interfaces with liquid-like behavior. Various GPEs based on different materials, including flame-retardant GPEs, dendrite-free polymer gel electrolytes, hybrid solid-state batteries, and 3D printable GPEs, have been developed. Significant efforts have also been directed toward improving the interface between GPEs and electrodes. The integration of gel-based electrolytes into solid-state electrochemical devices has the potential to revolutionize energy storage solutions by offering improved efficiency and reliability. These advancements find applications across diverse industries, particularly in electric vehicles and renewable energy. This review comprehensively discusses the potential of GPEs as solid-state electrolytes for diverse battery systems, such as lithium-ion batteries (LiBs), lithium metal batteries (LMBs), lithium–oxygen batteries, lithium–sulfur batteries, zinc-based batteries, sodium–ion batteries, and dual-ion batteries. This review highlights the materials being explored for GPE development, including polymers, inorganic compounds, and ionic liquids. Furthermore, it underscores the transformative impact of GPEs on solid-state batteries and their role in enhancing the performance and safety of energy storage devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gel-Based Electrolytes for Solid-State Electrochemical Devices)
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