Silicon Surface Tethered Polymer as Artificial Solid Electrolyte Interface.

ABSTRACT: We have developed a proof of concept electrode design to covalently graft poly(methyl methacrylate) brushes directly to silicon thin film electrodes via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. This polymer layer acts as a stable artificial solid electrolyte interface that enables surface passivation despite large volume changes during cycling. Thin polymer layers (75?nm) improve average first cycle coulombic efficiency from 62.4% in bare silicon electrodes to 76.3%. Average first cycle reversible capacity was improved from 3157 to 3935 mAh g^-1, and average irreversible capacity was reduced from 2011 to 1020 mAh g^-1. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy performed on silicon electrodes showed that resistance from solid electrolyte interface formation increased from 79 to 1508 ? in untreated silicon thin films over 26 cycles, while resistance growth was lower - from 98 to 498 ? - in silicon films functionalized with PMMA brushes. The lower increase suggests enhanced surface passivation and lower electrolyte degradation. This work provides a pathway to develop artificial solid electrolyte interfaces synthesized under controlled reaction conditions.

SUBMITTER: Shen BH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6070503 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature