study on gel based electrolytes for metal sulfur batteries

Abstract

quotThe present thesis work is devoted to the study of polymer gel electrolytes (PGEs) for metal sulfur batteries. An introduction to the gel based electrolytes along with certain key challenges and remedies has been highlighted in Chapter-1. Chapter-2 includes the literature survey of PGEs and the development of various PGEs for Li-S, Na-S batteries and other metal sulfur systems. Chapter-3 covers the methods of preparation of PGEs and the experimental techniques employed as part of the investigation and characterization namely EIS, Transport Number Measurement, Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and fourier transformed infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) to characterize different properties of the PGEs. Chapter-4 brings out the preparation of the TEGDME incorporated PMMA based Na+ conducting PGE membranes using the solution-cast technique with an aim to study the effect on ion-transport behavior in the PGE by varying the content of TEGDME. The intended objective would be to achieve the optimal level of solvent required for ion conductivity so as explore the possibility of its utilization for sodium battery application. Chapter-5 is dedicated to fabrication and optimization of the PGE by employing the various experimental techniques with the aim of analysing the effect of varying LiClO4 salt concentration in PGEs containing heat resistant PMMA, and SN. In Chapter-6, the possibility of developing PGEs from a polymer blend PVdF-HFP/PVP for rechargeable metal sulfur batteries has been explored and the effect of different cations (Na+, Mg2+ and Li+) on interaction within the PGE matrix have been studied using above cited experimental techniques. Chapter-7, would project the results and discussions on the applications of the fabricated PGEs in electrochemical devices. Chapter-8 gives out the conclusive summary of the thesis along-with the various contributions of the r