Gel Electrolytes for Lithium-Ion Batteries: An In-Situ Approach

Abstract

Gel electrolytes are a recurrent topic in the lithium-ion battery community, and are of interest because they bridge the materials gap between solid ion conductors like polymers and ceramics and liquid electrolytes. A wide variety of engineering polymers have found use as gel or gel-like electrolyte components in lithium-ion batteries, including poly(vinylidine fluoride), poly(ethylene oxide), and poly(acrylonitrile). In theory, a gel electrolyte should allow the electrolyte to have solid-like mechanical properties while retaining liquid-like ion transport and passivation properties. But does this compromise really occur? What are the trade-offs? This talk will explore the topic of gel electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries by examining several examples synthesized through in-situ polymerization of the 3D network within the liquid electrolyte using both radical and cationic polymerization methods. In-situ polymerization occurs in both organic and aqueous systems, allowing for a broad comparison of electrolyte types for a wide range of lithium-ion battery types, including the growing family of aqueous lithium ion batteries. Figure 1