Comparing measurement of limiting current in block copolymer electrolytes as a function of salt concentration with theoretical predictions
Abstract
Optimizing electrolyte performance is crucial for the widespread adoption of electrochemical energy storage. We demonstrate that limiting current provides a robust criterion for determining the optimum electrolyte. Experiments were conducted on rigid block copolymer electrolytes comprising mixtures of polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) copolymer (SEO) and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide salt (LiTFSI) over a salt concentration range from rav = 0.04 to rav = 0.20 (rav is the molar ratio of lithium ions to ethylene oxide). We show that the maximum limiting current density is 4.3 mA cm−2 at rav = 0.12. The dependence of limiting current on salt concentration is in good agreement with predictions from Newman's concentrated solution theory with no adjustable parameters.
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