Composite Poly(ethylene oxide) Electrolytes Plasticized by N-Alkyl-N-butylpyrrolidinium Bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide for Lithium Batteries

We report a new class of quaternary polymer electrolyte membranes that comprise poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), lithium trifluoromethanesulfonylimide (LiTFSI), N-alkyl-N-butylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (PyrA,4TFSI) as an ionic liquid, and a SiO2 filler. The results of differential scanning calorimetry indicate that the addition of SiO2 and different ionic liquids induces a decrease in the PEO melting enthalpy, which thereby increases the ionic conductivity and the Li transference number. The electrochemical stability is proved by using impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Galvanostatic cycling of Li/LiFePO4 cells, which comprise the quaternary polymer electrolytes, revealed their superior performance compared to conventional PEO-Li salt electrolytes. In the course of this investigation, a synergistic effect of the combined ionic liquid-ceramic filler modification could be proved at temperatures close to 50 degrees C.