Hexagonal boron nitride induces anion trapping in a polyethylene oxide based solid polymer electrolyte for lithium dendrite inhibition

Abstract

Here we prepare a hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN)–polyethylene oxide composite polymer electrolyte via a convenient casting method, which shows high mechanical strength. Meanwhile, the electrochemical properties (electrochemical window and lithium ion transference number) are enhanced but the ionic conductivity of the h-BN composite electrolyte is decreased after adding h-BN. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation results show that a stronger binding effect is observed between TFSI⁻ and BN, compared to that between Li⁺ and BN. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are also utilized to study the mechanism behind the enhanced Li ion diffusion by h-BN addition. Li⁺ diffusion in PEO/LiTFSI/BN is lower than that in the PEO/LiTFSI system, but the diffusion of TFSI⁻ exhibits a more significant decline rate in the presence of BN. This indicates that the presence of BN suppresses anion motion and enhances selectivity in Li⁺ transport. Thus, the PEO/LiTFSI/h-BN composite electrolyte exhibits higher Li ion conductivity but lower anion diffusivity than the PEO/LiTFSI system. Hence the h-BN composite polymer electrolyte in a Li/Li symmetric battery provides a long cycling time of 430 h at 0.2 mA cm⁻². A Li metal/LiFePO₄ full battery with the PEO/LiTFSI/h-BN composite electrolyte also works more efficiently for long-term cycling (140 cycles) than a filler-free PEO based electrolyte (39 cycles).