Chemical Compatibility of Battery Electrolytes with Rapid Prototyping Materials and Adhesives

Abstract

Custom electrochemical cells are necessary for fundamental in situ characterization experiments and applied transport studies of next-generation batteries. Limited data on the chemical compatibility of nonaqueous battery electrolytes and engineering materials frustrate experimental progress across laboratories. In this work, we evaluate the compatibility of epoxy-based adhesives and 3D printing resins with nonaqueous battery electrolytes. Materials compatibility requires not only mechanical and chemical stability but also the absence of electroactive dissolution products. We show that some adhesives can generate electroactive products that may cause experimental artifacts. The combined findings guide the material selection process for experimental electrochemists and offer a new protocol for future materials compatibility testing to capture previously overlooked effects.