All-Solid-State Lithium–Organic Batteries Comprising Single-Ion Polymer Nanoparticle Electrolytes

Advances in lithium battery technologies necessitate improved energy densities, long cycle lives, fast charging, safe operation, and environmentally friendly components. This study concerns lithium–organic batteries comprising bioinspired poly(4-vinyl catechol) (P4VC) cathode materials and single-ion conducting polymer nanoparticle electrolytes. The controlled synthesis of P4VC results in a two-step redox reaction with voltage plateaus at around 3.1 and 3.5 V, as well as a high initial specific capacity of 352 mAh g⁻¹. The use of single-ion nanoparticle electrolytes enables high electrochemical stabilities up to 5.5 V, a high lithium transference number of 0.99, high ionic conductivities, ranging from 0.2×10⁻³ to 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹, and stable storage moduli of >10 MPa at 25–90 °C. Lithium cells can deliver 165 mAh g⁻¹ at 39.7 mA g⁻¹ for 100 cycles and stable specific capacities of >100 mAh g⁻¹ at a high current density of 794 mA g⁻¹ for 500 cycles. As the first successful demonstration of solid-state single-ion polymer electrolytes in environmentally benign and cost-effective lithium–organic batteries, this work establishes a future research avenue for advancing lithium battery technologies.