Ion-conducting lithium bis(oxalato)borate-based polymer electrolytes

Poly(2-ethoxyethyl methacrylate) polymer gel electrolytes containing immobilised lithium bis(oxalato)borate in aprotic carbonates: propylene carbonate (PC), propylene carbonate–ethylene carbonate (PC–EC 50:50 vol.%) and diethyl carbonate–ethylene carbonate (DEC–EC 50:50 vol.%) were prepared by a direct radical polymerisation. The electrolyte composition was optimised to achieve suitable ionic conductivity 0.5 and 2.4 mS cm−1 at 25 and 70 °C respectively along with good mechanical properties. The electrochemical stability up to 5.1 V vs. Li/Li+ was determined on gold electrode by voltammetrical measurements. The polymer electrolytes with high-boiling solvents (PC and PC/EC) showed higher thermal stability (up to 110–120 °C) compared to the liquid electrolytes. The proposed area of application is in the lithium-ion batteries with cathodes operating at elevated temperatures of 70 °C, where higher electrochemical stability of the polymer electrolytes is employed.