Encapsulation of LiCoO2 particles with lithium containing polymer for solid state lithium-ion battery cathodes

In the present work, LiNbO 3 coated LiCoO 2 particles are encapsulated with lithium containing polymer by use of reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) assisted encapsulating polymerization (REEP) for application in solid-state lithium-ion battery technology. Two different trithiocarbonate macroRAFT agents are explored, namely poly(methacrylic acid(MAA)- stat -butyl methacrylate(BMA)) and poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA), for the adsorption onto the surface of LiNbO 3 coated LiCoO 2 particles, revealing superior adsorption characteristics by the former. In accordance with the REEP process, the adsorbed macroRAFT is chain extended with poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate and the crosslinker ethylene glycol dimethacrylate to generate hydrogels adsorbed to the surface of the lithium metal oxide particles. Incorporation of lithium 3-[(trifluoromethane)sulfonamidosulfonyl]propyl methacrylate (LiMFTSI) into these hydrogels via REEP copolymerization is successfully demonstrated. The present results offer a promising route to encapsulation of LiNbO 3 coated LiCoO 2 particles, with a view to addressing the challenges associated with the degradation of ionic conductivity between the active material and solid electrolyte in composite electrodes. • RAFT-assisted encapsulating polymerization has been employed to encapsulate LiNbO 3 -coated LiCoO 2 particles with a lithium-containing polymer • Successful incorporation of polymerized LiMTFSi monomer into these hydrogels allows synthesis of a polymeric coating on inorganic particles • The present work is of importance for application in solid-state lithium-ion battery technology