Investigating the Interface between Ceramic Particles and Polymer Matrix in Hybrid Electrolytes by Electrochemical Strain Microscopy

Nanomaterials, vol. 12, pp. 654

Abstract

The interface between ceramic particles and a polymer matrix in a hybrid electrolyte is studied with high spatial resolution by means of Electrochemical Strain Microscopy (ESM), an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)-based technique. The electrolyte consists of polyethylene oxide with lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (PEO6–LiTFSI) and Li6.5La3Zr1.5Ta0.5O12 (LLZO:Ta). The individual components are differentiated by their respective contact resonance, ESM amplitude and friction signals. The ESM signal shows increased amplitudes and higher contact resonance frequencies on the ceramic particles, while lower amplitudes and lower contact resonance frequencies are present on the bulk polymer phase. The amplitude distribution of the hybrid electrolyte shows a broader distribution in comparison to pure PEO6–LiTFSI. In the direct vicinity of the particles, an interfacial area with enhanced amplitude signals is found. These results are an important contribution to elucidate the influence of the ceramic–polymer interaction on the conductivity of hybrid electrolytes.

Authors 6

1. Philipp M. Veelken Aachen Institute of Physical Chemistry

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Energy and Climate Research, IEK-9, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany

   Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52074 Aachen, Germany

2. Roland Schierholz

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Energy and Climate Research, IEK-9, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany

3. Hermann Tempel

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Energy and Climate Research, IEK-9, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany

4. Hans Kungl

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Energy and Climate Research, IEK-9, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany

5. Rüdiger‐A. Eichel Aachen Institute of Physical Chemistry

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · Jülich Aachen Research Alliance · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Energy and Climate Research, IEK-9, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany

   Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52074 Aachen, Germany

   Jülich-Aachen Research Alliance, Section JARA-Energy, 52425 Jülich, Germany

6. Florian Hausen corresponding Aachen Institute of Physical Chemistry

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · Jülich Aachen Research Alliance · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Energy and Climate Research, IEK-9, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany

   Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52074 Aachen, Germany

   Jülich-Aachen Research Alliance, Section JARA-Energy, 52425 Jülich, Germany