Gel-type polymer electrolyte membrane and manufacturing method thereof

Gel electrolyte membrane implemented without a support using RAFT-polymerized triblock nanochannels

This technology features a gel-type polymer electrolyte membrane based on a triblock polymer with an [A]-[B]-[A] structure, consisting of vinylpyridine (A-block) and ethylene oxide (B-block). RAFT polymerization is used to form nanoporous structures, securing channels for ion transport.

Conventional polymer electrolytes, such as PVdF-HFP, have required the use of separate supports. Furthermore, there has been a trade-off between mechanical properties and ionic conductivity, limiting performance improvements.

This technology incorporates a cross-linking reaction using PEG into a triblock polymer synthesized via RAFT polymerization. This maintains mechanical strength without a support while significantly increasing ionic conductivity through nanochannels. It can be applied to pouch-type lithium secondary batteries and flexible/wearable power electrolyte membranes where leakage risks must be minimized, allowing for more flexible cell designs that eliminate the need for separators.

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Key Features:

• Triblock polymer for polymer electrolytes having repeating units where m is 120 to 170, n is 10 to 20,000, and l is 120 to 170
• Coupling reaction step by mixing 4-cyano-4-(phenylcarbonothioylthio)pentanoic acid and PEG with DMAP and DCC
• Step of synthesizing a triblock polymer by mixing the prepared copolymer with 4-vinylpyridine monomer in a 1:300 molar ratio
• Step of introducing ion-exchange functional groups into the polymer, forming it into a membrane, and drying it while gradually increasing the temperature from 30 to 90 °C

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