Work

Closed‐Loop Recyclable Solid Polymer Electrolytes via Dynamic Lipoate Cross‐Linking

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Growing demand for electrochemical energy storage has intensified concerns over battery end‐of‐life disposal, driving an urgent need for recyclable electrolyte materials. Here, we report a photo‐curable, chemically recyclable solid polymer electrolyte platform built on a bio‐derived difunctional cross‐linker, poly(ethylene glycol) bis(lipoate) (PEG‐LP 2 ), prepared from naturally occurring α‐lipoic acid. Visible‐light‐driven copolymerization of PEG‐LP 2 with poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate in the presence of an ionic liquid (BMITFSI, 45 wt%) yields flexible, ionically conductive membranes (1.30 mS cm −1 at room temperature). The dynamic disulfide cross‐linked network imparts both solid‐like mechanical integrity and chemical recyclability. When assembled into symmetric supercapacitors, the optimized SPE‐65 formulation retains ∼70% of its initial specific capacitance after 6000 galvanostatic cycles at 100 mA g −1 . Complete catalyst‐assisted depolymerization is achieved using 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU) under mild, ambient conditions, and subsequent repolymerization regenerates ionically conductive membranes retaining ∼70% of the original conductivity (0.86 mS cm −1 ). Together, the bio‐derived lipoate cross‐linker, catalytically assisted depolymerization, and regenerated electrochemical performance constitute a sustainable and recyclable SPE manufacture platform for next‐generation supercapacitor applications.

Source: Angewandte Chemie International Edition

DOI: 10.1002/anie.3540036