Effect of Ti3AlC2 MAX phase on electrochemical performance of thermo-responsive copolymer electrolyte for solid state zinc-ion battery

The solid-state zinc-ion battery (ZIB) is environmentally friendly, cost effective, and extremely safe, which are essential features for alternative sustainable energy storage systems. Herein, a polymer composite electrolyte (PCE) is successfully developed through a facile solution-casting approach from a thermo-responsive copolymer-based electrolyte and layered ternary carbide (Ti3AlC2). The thermo-responsive copolymer demonstrated synergistic mechanical properties through the addition of an appropriate plasticizer and a zinc salt. This combination suggests that the material possesses thermal self-protection capabilities due to its anti-Arrhenius ionic-conducting behavior. However, parasitic reactions and dendrite formation hindered the achievement of its full potential. The incorporation of Ti3AlC2 or MAX phase can mitigate the above obstacles, enhancing electrochemical performance with excellent flexibility and maintainable self-extinguishing. The solid-state ZIB benefits from the well-designed PCE with the expanding layer interspacing, delivering a remarkably high capacity (336 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1) and energy density of 242 Wh kg−1. This is achieved due to the Ti3AlC2's ability to immobilize or entrap triflate anions via electrostatic forces. Therefore, the designed PCE is a promising step toward the development of flexible solid electrolytes in ZIBs.