Mxene Derived Electrolytes: Advancements in Solid-State Battery Technology

In recent years an increased demand for solid-state batteries (SSBs) has arisen due to concerns with current liquid electrolyte batteries including battery thermal runaway, dendrite formation, and electrolyte leakage. SSBs have gained significant traction due to their improved safety and increased lifespan compared to liquid electrolyte containing batteries. In SSBs, the solid electrolyte (SE) is used instead of flammable liquid electrolytes, contributing to the mentioned benefits. However, limitations in SE ionic conductivity when compared to liquid electrolyte counterparts has slowed the implementation of SEs. Thus, our research focuses on how SE performance can be improved through the addition of Ti₃C₂T_x MXene into polymer electrolytes. Ti₃C₂T_x MXene is a two-dimensional transition metal carbide and nitride which has been shown to improve the ionic conductivity of SEs for use in SSBs. By integrating MXene into a polymer matrix of PEO and LiTFSI, we created MXene-containing Composite Polymer Electrolyte (MCPE). Our MCPEs are prepared with differing weight percentages of MXene and the resulting MCPEs are analyzed through methods such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Current and future research will extend beyond our current understanding of MCPEs’ composition and its impact on ionic conductivity, and will provide insight on the role of chemical nature of MXene on the MCPEs properties.