(558ai) Lithium Dendrite Suppression with Lithiated Nafion As a Polymer Electrolyte

Lithium anode has been investigated extensively for years due to its high theoretical specific capacity of 3869 mAh g^-1 and the lowest standard reduction potential of -3.04 V (vs SHE). It is considered the most desirable anode in battery applications however, even the high energy densities of the state-of-the-art Li-ion batteries aren’t unable to meet the ever-increasing energy demand electronic devices and electric vehicles. One of the major reasons for this failure to meet the current demands is due to the hazardous dendritic growth on the Li-based batteries forming during repeated charging and discharging processes. The continuous growth of these Li dendrites could pierce the separator leading to short-circuiting of the two terminals. Hence, there is a need to develop strategies to reduces or suppress the growth of Li-dendrites to increase the longevity of Li-based batteries. Here we present a systematic screening of different process parameters to study the growth of Li-dendrites. Lithiated Nafion on propylene carbonate (PC) is used as a polymer electrolyte for the study. A symmetrical Li/PC-Li-Nafion/Li cell is assembled in a 3D printed chassis made of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Under constant current conditions, the dendrite growth is observed by brightfield microscopy over various time intervals. The effect of process parameters like conductivity of the polymer electrolyte, the distance between the electrode, and currents (rate of dendritic growth) is reported as a part of this work