Silica-based thin film solid-state electrolytes for Lithium-ion microbatteries

The emerging market of the Internet of Things, smart objects, wearables and others increase the demand for micro energy sources. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are a well-known technology for energy storage. However, safety issues and high production costs constrain progress. Electrolyte solution based on ILs with dissolved lithium salt can be confined into inorganic porous networks forming so-called ionogels, which are investigated as solid electrolyte [1]. Ionogels combine low hazard and good ionic conductivity. However, the growth of lithium dendrites may be observed during cycling, which reduce battery lifetime. In this project, we try to prepare a silica-ionogel to prevent dendritic growth by mechanical hindrance. The ionogel composition and the influence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) as catalyst were studied to obtain a fast condensation of the silica precursor.