Liquid crystals as additives in solid polymer electrolytes for lithium metal batteries

Abstract The forefront of research for new electrolyte materials tomorrow’s electrochemical energy storage technologies is based on thoroughly designed molecular architectures. Here, liquid crystals (LCs) mixed with poly(ethylene-oxide) (PEO) and lithium salts are proposed as solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) application in lithium-metal batteries. PEO matrix comprises the LC, which gives orientational properties, whereas chains responsible ionic conductivity. N-(4-Methoxybenzylidene)-4-butylaniline (MBBA) used proof-of-concept LC molecules developed further research. Ionic conductivities (7·10 –4 S·cm −1 at 40 °C) up to three times higher than reference without achieved. In addition, SPEs characterized electrochemically, thermally by polarized optical microscope demonstrating preservation crystalline behavior even after mixing salts. Graphical abstract