Interfacial Engineering of Lithium Metal Batteries Using Phase-Separated and Semi-interpenetrating Network Electrolytes via In-Situ Dual Curing Process
발표자
오수연 (인하대학교)
연구책임자
최우혁 (인하대학교)
초록
내용
Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) in lithium metal batteries (LMBs) encounter critical challenges of conductivity–strength trade-offs and interfacial instability. Here, we present an in-situ dual curable GPE that overcomes both via polymerization induced phase separation (PIPS) and a semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN). During 1st UV curing, BPAEDA polymerizes and induces phase separation with the liquid electrolyte, forming continuous ion-conduction pathways. This structure yields high ionic conductivity of 2.0 × 10⁻³ S/cm. VEC remains unpolymerized and enhances interfacial wetting after cell assembly. In the 2nd thermal curing VEC is polymerized in situ, forming a semi-IPN matrix with high strength (G′ = 1.36 × 10⁵ Pa) and good electrode adhesion. This design lowers interfacial resistance (473 Ω), suppresses dendrites, and enables stable lithium cycling for over 2000 hours, highlighting its potential for high performance LMBs.