2D Material Doping in Ion Conducting Membranes Used for Energy Storage Applications

The electrolyte component of a battery plays a crucial part in its power density and ion balancing as it acts as an ion-carrier between electrodes. However, the use of liquid electrolytes in batteries can cause issues with thermal runaway, leakage, flammability and ultimately battery failure if cell damage occurs. In this thesis, a Gel Polymer Electrolyte (GPE) is reinforced with exfoliated 2D Boron Nitride (BN) nanosheets — a unique 2D nanomaterial that possesses electronically insulating properties while having high specific surface area and thermal conductivity to reinforce the electrolyte component used in batteries. The properties of the GPE are analyzed by looking at the mechanism of ion conduction within polymer chains and how BN can be used as nanofillers to enhance electrochemical performances. The optimal doping of BN to a porous GPE can then lead to improved thermal stability, ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability for safer operation conditions of batteries.