Revolutionizing Battery Tech: Helical Polymers Unlock Next-Gen Solid-State Electrolytes

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed helical structured peptide polymer electrolytes that exhibit superior conductivity and stability compared to traditional “random coil” structures. These helical polymers enhance the performance of solid-state batteries and are environmentally friendly as they can be decomposed and recycled after their useful life.

Researchers have explored solid-state electrolytes for decades as potential components in energy storage systems, particularly for developing solid-state batteries. These materials are safer alternatives to the traditional liquid electrolyte—a solution that allows ions to move within the cell—used in batteries today. However, new concepts are needed to push the performance of current solid polymer electrolytes to be viable for next-generation materials.

Materials science and engineering researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have explored the role of helical secondary structure on the conductivity of solid-state peptide polymer electrolytes and found that the helical structure shows greatly enhanced conductivity compared to the “random coil” counterparts. They also found that longer helices lead to higher conductivity and that the helical structure increases the overall stability of the material to temperature and voltage.