Recyclable cellulose-based vitrimer electrolytes for lithium ion batteries

Cellulose as polymer electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has a number of advantages such as low cost, readily available, abundant, environmentally friendly, and contains electron-donating groups within its structure. Beside, vitrimers are a novel class of polymer materials made of dynamic covalent networks that can undergo bond-exchange processes. Beyond cellulose's special qualities, cellulose-based vitrimer production is highly desired for enhancing electrolytes mechanical qualities, thermal stability, cyclability, and ionic conductivity. In this study, cellulose-based vitrimeric polymer electrolytes are prepared. At first, poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-methyl acrylate) by different ratios of comonomers is prepared and then cellulose is cross-linked by prepared copolymers. Prepared vitrimers are recycled four steps through transesterification reaction and as-prepared and recycled crosslinked celluloses are used as gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs). The results showed the best ionic conductivity of as-prepared samples in order of 10⁻⁴ S/cm whereas ionic conductivity increased to order of 10⁻³ S/cm for recycled samples. Also, high lithium-ion transfer number of >0.8 was achieved for recycled samples. All as-prepared and recycled electrolytes had excellent electrochemical stability window (> 5 V). Also, improved specific capacity (>178 mA h g⁻¹ with capacity retention upper than 90 % after 200 cycles at 0.2C of LiCoO₂/GPEs/Gr) was attained.