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Novel Polymer Electrolyte Membranes for Nickel-Zinc Battery

Qu, Cheng
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1384534927

Abstract Details

2013, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, Polymer Engineering.
Ni-Zn rechargeable battery has attracted increasing interest due to its high energy density, low cost and safety. However, the short battery life due to battery short-circuit which results from Zn dendrite growth highly limits its utility. In this dissertation, fiber reinforced polymer electrolyte membranes with dendrite inhibiting fillers are produced by embedding nanofibers into polyacrylic acid (PAA)/clay membranes, and the membranes are used in Ni-Zn battery to solve the Zn dendrite growth problem. The nanofibers are produced by electrospinning. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and nylon MXD6 electrospun fiber mats with different morphologies (fused, bonded and separated) are obtained by adjusting electrospinning conditions (target distance, applied voltage, nozzle pressure, solution concentration, etc.). Morphology observation of the electrospun fiber mat during uniaxial stretching reveals that interfiber bonds transfer tensile loads and induce deformation resulting in higher mechanical properties. The fiber content and mechanical properties of the fiber reinforced electrolyte membrane depend on interfiber bonding. In the membrane, interfiber bonds hold fibers together against gel swelling, leading to the formation of inter-bonded fiber network and high fiber content enhancing overall mechanical properties of the membrane. Though, with the inter-bonded fiber network in the membrane, high tensile strength and high strain at break are achieved, the ionic conductivity is found to decrease due to the increased membrane tortuosity. By incorporating the electrospun fiber mat with optimum structure for balanced mechanical strength and ionic conductivity, novel polymer electrolyte membranes, including PVDF and MXD6 nanofiber reinforced PAA membranes, PAA/nanofiber/clay hybrid membrane and multilayer membrane are prepared, and battery testing is conducted. The results show that the electrospun fiber mat in the membrane effectively suppresses Zn dendrite growth, and thinner fibers have better dendrite inhibition capability. Exfoliated clay platelets in the nanofiber reinforced membranes could further block the growth of nano-sized Zn dendrites and significantly extend the battery life as they act as “shields” normal to the direction of Zn dendrite growths. The PAA/9vol% MXD6-fiber/3.8vol% clay hybrid membrane with the thickness of 200µm is proved to be the best polymer electrolyte membrane for Ni-Zn battery in this dissertation exceeding the 450 charge/discharge cycle requirements of a typical commercial battery application.
Mukerrem Cakmak, Dr. (Advisor)
Robert Weiss, Dr. (Committee Member)
Mark Soucek, Dr. (Committee Member)
Kevin Cavicchi, Dr. (Committee Member)
Xiong Gong, Dr. (Committee Member)
Tom Hartley, Dr. (Committee Member)
Yilmaz Sozer, Dr. (Committee Member)
226 p.
Polymers

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Qu, C. (2013). Novel Polymer Electrolyte Membranes for Nickel-Zinc Battery [Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1384534927

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Qu, Cheng. Novel Polymer Electrolyte Membranes for Nickel-Zinc Battery. 2013. University of Akron, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1384534927.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Qu, Cheng. "Novel Polymer Electrolyte Membranes for Nickel-Zinc Battery." Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1384534927

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1384534927
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© 2013, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.