Polysulfide-Breathing/Dual-Conductive, Heterolayered Battery Separator Membranes Based on 0D/1D Mingled Nanomaterial Composite Mats

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.6b04830
• Publication Date: 2017-03-25T13:43:52Z
• Authors: Jeong-Hoon Kim; Gwan Yeong Jung; Yong-Hyeok Lee; Jung-Hwan Kim; Sun-Young Lee; Sang Kyu Kwak; Sang-Young Lee
• Keywords: Separator (oil production); Polysulfide; Polyacrylonitrile; Electrospinning

Facile/sustainable utilization of sulfur active materials is an ultimate challenge in high-performance lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. Here, as a membrane-driven approach to address this issue, we demonstrate new class polysulfide-breathing (capable reversibly adsorbing and desorbing polysulfides)/dual (electron ion) conductive, heterolayered battery separator membranes (denoted "MEC-AA separators") based on 0D (nanoparticles)/1D (nanofibers) composite mats. The MEC-AA fabricated through in-series, concurrent electrospraying/electrospinning process. top layer the comprises close-packed mesoporous MCM-41 nanoparticles spatially besieged by multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) wrapped poly(ether imide) (PEI) nanofibers. shows reversible adsorption/desorption polysulfides, MWNT-wrapped PEI nanofibers act dual-conductive upper current collector. Preferential deposition MWNTs along dispersion state components are elucidated theoretically using computational methods. support layer, which consists densely packed Al2O3 polyacrylonitrile nanofibers, serves mechanically/thermally stable polysulfide-capturing porous membrane. unique structure multifunctionality allow for substantial improvements redox reaction kinetics cycling performance Li–S cells far beyond those achievable with conventional polyolefin separators. nanomat-based membrane strategy opens route toward electrochemically active/permselective advanced