Functional Polymers for Battery Applications
Our group develops materials and concepts for functional polymers that are redox-active and can function as electrode material or polymer solid electrolyte.Dual-responsive polymer networks as cathode materials
We have looked into effects of the sulfur strand length of dual-responsive copolymer networks prepared via inverse vulcanization, which are attractive materials for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. The S-strand length of dual-redox active S-naphthalene diimide (NDI) networks SNDI was varied by the feed ratio resulting in a variety of network compositions. By virtue of simulated and experimental near-edge X-ray absorption fine-structure (NEXAFS) measurements done in collaboration with other groups[1], we have determined the S-strand length for small S strand lengths directly. Networks with shorter S-strands exhibit decreased specific capacity, but strongly increased stability. The herein presented approach addresses stability of cathode materials and provides a simple means to generating dense organic networks for polymer batteries.[2]
Polymeric single-ion conductors
We develop single-ion conducting polymers with high ionic conductivity and improved mechanical properties as solid polymer electrolytes.References