Oxygen Permeable Membrane for Lithium Air Batteries

The objective of this proposal is to demonstrate the feasibility of producing an oxygen permeable membrane using plasma deposition of polymer films on a microporous substrate material. Membranes that are permeable to oxygen are needed to allow oxygen to reach the cathode of a lithium/air galvanic cell, while simultaneously preventing loss of organic electrolyte. Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) coatings will be applied to the surfaces of microporous membrane materials in order to control the molecular/gas barrier properties of the membranes. Prototype membranes will be evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), fluorescent dye penetrant, and stability testing to characterize the physicochemical properties of the candidate coated membranes. In addition, gas exchange capability will be evaluated experimentally in gas-gas and gas-liquid environments.