Organic dual-ion batteries with low-temperature operability and structural reinforcement

Abstract

Lithium-ion batteries have been widely used in portable electronic devices for many years. However, these batteries still face significant challenges in harsher and more complex environments such as electric vehicles, aerospace, subsea operations, and power grid systems. Two of the most significant limitations of current lithium-ion batteries are their weak mechanical strength and poor low-temperature performance. To address these limitations, this study leverages carbon fiber weave current collectors to deliver high mechanical strength and a dual-ion organic battery configuration to improve low-temperature operability. A copolymer of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidenyloxyl-4-yl methacrylate and glycidyl methacrylate (PTMA-co-GMA) and naphthalene tetracarboxylic dianhydride-derived polyimide (PNTCDI) are used as active materials for the positive and negative electrodes, respectively, on the carbon fiber weave current collectors to fabricate structural battery electrodes. Low-temperature structural organic batteries using carbon fiber reinforcement have not yet been demonstrated until now. The carbon fiber (CF) current collectors offer similar capacity performance and better cycling stability compared to metal ones, making CF current collectors a promising option for structural organic batteries. Furthermore, the study uses a lithium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide (LiTFSI) and diglyme-based low-temperature electrolyte to fabricate dual-ion cells that could operate at low temperatures. The battery exhibited a capacity of 76 mAh g⁻¹ at 1C current, maintaining operability up to 10C current, and delivering 1000 W kg⁻¹ specific power down to −40 °C. The battery maintained 85% capacity at 0 °C and 55% capacity at −40 °C. Interestingly, the battery showed near-zero capacity decay while cycling at low temperatures. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of combining high mechanical strength and low-temperature operability in one battery. The proposed approach represents an important step forward in developing organic batteries with multi-functionality, empowering their use in a broader range of applications in extreme environments.