Cellulose/acrylate membranes for flexible lithium batteries electrolytes: Balancing improved interfacial integrity and ionic conductivity

• Published in: European polymer journal Vol. 57; pp. 22 - 29
• Main Authors: Chiappone, A., Nair, Jijeesh R., Gerbaldi, C., Zeno, E., Bongiovanni, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: A. Polymer–matrix composites (PMCs); A. Theromosetting resin; Adhesion; Aluminum oxide; Applied sciences; B. Electrical properties; B. Fibre/matrix bond; Cellulose; Composites; Electrolytes; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Ionic conductivity; Lithium batteries; Membranes; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Reinforcement; Technology of polymers; B. Electrical properties; A. Theromosetting resin; A. Polymer–matrix composites (PMCs); B. Fibre/matrix bond; Surface reaction; Temperature effect; Polymer solid electrolyte; A Theromosetting resin; Photochemical reaction; Composite material; Colloidal gel; Membrane; Manufacturing; Photochemical copolymerization; Electrical properties; Ionic conductivity; Mechanical properties; Ethylene oxide copolymer; Experimental study; Chemical coupling; Lithium battery; A. Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs); Morphology; Lithium compound; Paper; Simultaneous reaction; Methacrylate copolymer
• ISSN: 0014-3057; 1873-1945
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2014.05.004

[Display omitted] •A UV cured methacrylate based plasticised polymer electrolyte membrane is prepared.•Cellulose hand-sheets are used as a reinforcement.•Benzophenone is added to the UV curable matrix.•Polymer–cellulose interfacial stability is improved.•The use of an alumina-laden handsheet restores high ionic conductivity. Methacrylic-based thermo-set gel–polymer electrolytes obtained by the easy and reliable photo-polymerisation process and mechanically reinforced by a cellulose handsheet (paper) for flexible lithium batteries application are here presented. Adhesion between cellulose and polymer is improved by “in situ” grafting supported by benzophenone; the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte is enhanced by the use of specifically designed handsheets containing alumina. Thermal and mechanical properties of the new membranes are characterised and the effect of the different composition of the reinforcement on the ionic conductivity of the membranes is discussed.