Gel electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries

The electrochemical performance of gel electrolytes based on crosslinked poly[ethyleneoxide-co-2-(2-methoxyethyoxy)ethyl glycidyl ether-co-allyl glycidyl ether] was investigated using graphite/Li1.1[Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3]0.9O2 lithium-ion cells. It was found that the conductivity of the crosslinked gel electrolytes was as high as 5.9 mS/cm at room temperature, which is very similar to that of the conventional organic carbonate liquid electrolytes. Moreover, the capacity retention of lithium-ion cells comprising gel electrolytes was also similar to that of cells with conventional electrolytes. Despite of the high conductivity of the gel electrolytes, the rate capability of lithium-ion cells comprising gel electrolytes is inferior to that of the conventional cells. The difference was believed to be caused by the poor wettability of gel electrolytes on the electrode surfaces.