title: A physical organogel electrolyte: characterized by in situ thermo-irreversible gelation and single-ion-predominent conduction.
abstract: Electrolytes are characterized by their ionic conductivity (σ(i)). It is desirable that overall σ(i) results from the dominant contribution of the ions of interest (e.g. Li(+) in lithium ion batteries or LIB). However, high values of cationic transference number (t+) achieved by solid or gel electrolytes have resulted in low σ(i) leading to inferior cell performances. Here we present an organogel polymer electrolyte characterized by a high liquid-electrolyte-level σ(i) (~10(1) mS cm(-1)) with high t+ of Li(+) (>0.8) for LIB. A conventional liquid electrolyte in presence of a cyano resin was physically and irreversibly gelated at 60°C without any initiators and crosslinkers, showing the behavior of lower critical solution temperature. During gelation, σ(i) of the electrolyte followed a typical Arrhenius-type temperature dependency, even if its viscosity increased dramatically with temperature. Based on the Li(+)-driven ion conduction, LIB using the organogel electrolyte delivered significantly enhanced cyclability and thermal stability.
authors.affiliation: i-School of Green Energy, UNIST, Ulsan 689-798, Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Soo
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yoon-Gyo
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Dorj
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Odkhuu
authors.forename: Noejung
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hyun-Kon
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D004553:Electric Conductivity; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry*; D052578:Ionic Liquids / Q000737:chemistry*; D007477:Ions; D008094:Lithium / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D005782:Gels; D052578:Ionic Liquids; D007477:Ions; D011108:Polymers; D008094:Lithium