Polymer Electrolytes Based on the Lithium Form of Nafion Sulfonic Cation-Exchange Membranes: Current State of Research and Prospects for Use in Electrochemical Power Sources

The review analyzes and summarizes the results of investgations of lithium-conducting polymer electrolytes obtained via ion exchange from the initial H⁺ form of perfluorinated sulfonic cation-exchange membranes of the Nafion family. Salt forms of membranes not only retain the high strength and chemical stability inherent in the parent materials, but also have increased thermal stability (compared to the protonated form). The introduction of plasticizers (dipolar aprotic solvents and their mixtures) and modifying additives makes it possible to achieve a conductivity of 10⁻⁵–10⁻³ S/cm in the ambient temperature range. This makes polymer electrolytes based on lithiated Nafion membranes (Li-Nafion) very attractive for practical use instead of liquid nonaqueous electrolytes in electrochemical power sources. Such research is actively conducted in the field of lithium–oxygen, lithium−sulfur, and lithium-ion batteries, as well as batteries with a lithium metal negative electrode. It is proposed to use Li-Nafion not only as an electrolyte/separator, but also as a functional binder of electrode materials, as a thin barrier layer on a positive electrode or a microporous separator, as an artificial protective layer on the surface of a lithium metal electrode, etc. For all types of considered power sources, the results confirming the prospects for the development of electrochemical systems using Li-Nafion have been obtained.