Biosynthetic oligocellulose-based block coPolymer solid-stAte electrolytes: Towards sustainable and safe-by-design energy storage TecHnologieS

Liquid electrolytes in lithium batteries are hazardous for consumer efficient targeted use. Solid polymer electrolytes offer mechanical support but lack in conductivity performance. The challenge for solid block copolymer electrolytes (BCPEs) is to properly utilize the obtained nanostructures for optimal ion dissosiation and enhanced conductivity. ionPATHS research (carried out at VTT and Aalto University Finland and Grenoble-INP, Université Grenoble Alpes) will explore on oligocellulose based flexible BCPE thin films. The film structure obtains an ionic nanochannel where fast ion mobility is enabled by the Li salt localization. Nanochannels provide precisely controlled ion-distribution with extremely small amount of a Li salt used, yet with more ions dissociated to promote higher ionic conductivity. Breakthroughs in structure-regulated polymeric materials in the field of electrochemical energy storage with conductivity up to 10 mS/cm can be realized with ionPATHS BCPE thin films.