Surface tailoring of polypropylene separators for lithium-ion batteries via N-hydroxyphthalimide catalysis. (5th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Lin; Yue, Feng-Shu; Zhao, Yu-Ming; Wang, Shuang-Shuang; Li, Yu-Chao; Li, Guang; Ge, Xiang-Cai
• Is Part Of: European polymer journal. Volume 152(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06-05
• Subjects: Polypropylene separator -- Grafting modification -- Electrolyte wettability -- Lithium-ion battery; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; Polymerization; Polymers; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2021.110487
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-3057

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Poly (poly (ethylene glycol) methacrylate) (PPEGMA) was grafted onto PP separator by N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) catalysis combined with ARGET-ATRP. Electrolyte wettability of PPEGMA functionalized PP was enhanced evidently compared to that of pristine PP separator. Rate performance and long cycle ability for cell with the modified PP separator was improved significantly. The proposed strategy was also applied to modify other polyolefine membranes for advanced applications. Abstract: Surface modification of polyolefine separators for high performance lithium-ion batteries has been a worthwhile research topic. In this work, poly (poly (ethylene glycol) methacrylate) (PPEGMA) was firstly grafted onto polypropylene (PP) separator based on N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) catalysis and activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (ARGET-ATRP). Bis(2, 2, 2-trichloroethyl) azodicarboxylate (BTCEAD) was anchored on the surface of PP separators in the presence of NHPI. Then BTCEAD functionalized PP separator initiated the polymerization of PEGMA by ARGET-ATRP. Thus, structure controllable PPEGMA was grafted on the surface of PP separators. The results of contact angle and electrolyte uptake tests demonstrated that electrolyte wettability of PPEGMA functionalized PP separator has been significantly improved. Electrochemical measurements indicated that the ionic conductivity and discharge capacity retention of cells assembled with PPEGMA functionalized PP separators were distinctly higher than that of cells with pristine PP separator. Herein, we presented a new methodology with high efficiency to modify PP separators under mild condition, which was also applied to other polyolefine separator for high performance lithium-ion batteries. The proposed approach might have many other potential applications in membrane modification field.