Polymers in Lithium-Ion and Lithium Metal Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries play a significant role in modern electronics and electric vehicles. However, current Li-ion battery chemistries are unable to satisfy the increasingly heightened expectations regarding energy demand and reliability. To boost the overall energy density while ensuring the safety of Li batteries, researchers have focused on alternative battery materials, such as silicon, sulfur, and Li metal. These represent promising avenues, although numerous obstacles (e.g., Si cracking, polysulfide shuttling, Li dendrites, etc.) must be tackled before batteries based on these materials can enter mass production and penetrate the mainstream market. Polymers are a class of materials that are widely used in current battery systems; however, many novel polymer chemistries may offer better performance and reliability than the current ones, and even overcome the issues of the above-mentioned new battery materials. In this review, selected polymeric materials for solving these issues are categorized into four parts: polymer electrolytes, polymer artificial solid-electrolyte interphases, binders, and separators. Both the current progress and the characterization methods are included. Potential future directions of energy materials research are pointed out as well.

Automated summary

Researchers are exploring alternative battery materials to enhance overall energy density and ensure safety in lithium-ion batteries. Although current polymer materials have made progress in addressing battery issues, novel polymer chemistries may offer better performance and reliability.