Bioinspired Ultrastrong and Ion‐Selective Gel Electrolytes by Interfacial Coacervation for High‐Performance Lithium‐Metal Batteries

ABSTRACT Coupling lithium metal with gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) has been demonstrated as an effective strategy to enable stable lithium metal batteries (LMBs). However, the current design of GPEs faces difficulties in simultaneously achieving satisfactory mechanical properties and efficient and selective ion transport. Here, we present the fabrication of ultrastrong and hierarchically nanoporous cellulose gel electrolytes via poly(ionic liquid)‐induced interfacial coacervation of cellulose nanofibrils. The nanofibrils GPE with a cascade ion‐conduction network spanning from molecular‐scale channels to mesopores enables dual‐mode Li⁺ transport through nanoconfinement and interstitial ion hopping. This…

• CU
  City University of Hong Kong
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 22139001, 22209059
• NS
  Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province

  Award: 2023AFB1117
• JU
  Jianghan University

  Award: 2023XKZ003