Characterization of gel polymer electrolyte for suppressing deterioration of cathode electrodes of Li ion batteries on high-rate cycling at elevated temperature

• Gel polymerization changes solvation structures of the electrolyte.
• Electrolyte conductivity does not decrease by gel polymerization so much.
• Gel polymer electrolyte has higher thermal stability than liquid electrolyte.
• Deformation of cathode electrode is suppressed by gel polymer electrolyte.
• Design technology for ideal electrolyte of Li ion batteries is proposed.

As one of obvious electrolyte design technologies of Li ion batteries (LIBs) to meet durable high-rate capability at elevated temperatures for battery electric vehicles, this study assesses the superiority of gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) based on experimental results supporting its working mechanism. Our previous study indicated that degradation of cathode electrode under high-rate cycling at elevated temperature was a major cause of the decrease in performance of LIBs, and the single full cells (SFCs) with a GPE designed from dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate and methyl ether methacrylate was re-verified to have superior 3.0C cycling performance at 80 °C. The superiority of the GPE is studied from comparing mid-voltages of discharge profiles of the SFCs, observing the cross-sectional morphology of the electrodes by field emission scanning electron microscopy, assessing the interacting force among the electrolyte components by thermogravimetric analysis, and examining each resistance component of the SFCs by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Gel polymerization of liquid electrolyte results in a significant increase of durable high-rate capability of LIBs due to the mechanisms of not only its buffering effect on solvating process of Li+ ions being extracted from the active materials during high rate operation, but also higher thermal stability of electrolyte components, lower susceptibility of the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte to a temperature change, and lower energy barrier to breakup of solvated structures during conducting of Li+ ions in gel polymer matrix.