Rollable and double-foldable lithium battery based on solid-state polymer electrolyte

Abstract

Latest technologies regarding portable and wearable electronics greatly values their diverse form factors in a view of mechanically deformability. In detail, global companies are scrambling to release their first bendable, rollable and foldable electronics to the world as soon as possible. However, there exists some inevitable issues regarding shape-deformable batteries that makes it hard to develop a truly deformable electronics. In order to overcome current drawbacks, herein, a high-strength intertwined nanosponge reinforced solid-state polymer electrolyte is reported that can be readily applied to highly bendable, rollable, and foldable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Thoroughly engineered Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-co-HFP) based intertwined nanosponge which has high porosity yet tightly entangled structure, to be used as reinforcement for polymer electrolyte. Along with the high mechanical strength that the entangled structure possesses, high porosity in intertwined nanosponge attributed to facile impregnation of ion-conducting electrolyte, thus, forming robust conjugation of two different functional components into one enhanced solid-state polymer electrolyte. Most importantly, intertwined nanosponge and ion-conducting polymer electrolyte were separately prepared, followed by direct conjugation to preserve high mechanical strength and superior ionic conductivity of each respectively; after which the solid-state electrolyte gained merits of each components. As a result, the intertwined nanosponge solid-state polymer electrolyte manifested superior mechanical strength, superior ionic conductivity. Finally, real-time application to highly deformable LIBs was successfully demonstrated without any short-circuit or failure.