Advanced, lithium batteries based on high-performance composite polymer electrolytes

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 162; no. 1; pp. 685 - 689
• Main Authors: Croce, F., Sacchetti, S., Scrosati, B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 01-11-2006; Elsevier Sequoia
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Battery; Ceramic filler; Composites; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Electrolyte; Exact sciences and technology; Lithium; Polymer; Ceramic filler; Lithium; Polymer; Composites; Electrolyte; Battery; High performance; Hybrid vehicle; Polymer electrolytes; Solid electrolyte; Electric vehicle; Research and development; Lithium battery; Conducting polymers; Membrane; Lithium oxide
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2006.07.038

Progress in lithium battery technology may be achieved by passing from a conventional liquid electrolyte structure to a solid-state, polymer configuration. In this prospect, great R&D effort has been devoted to the development of suitable lithium conducting polymer electrolytes. In previous papers [F. Croce, L. Settimi, B. Scrosati, Electrochem. Commun. 8 (2006) 364
[1]; F. Croce, S. Sacchetti, B. Scrosati, J. Power Sources, in press
[2]], we have shown that composite membranes based on blends between poly(ethylene oxide) and lithium salts with the dispersion of functionalized ZrO
2 ceramic filler, have unique transport and interfacial properties. In this paper, we complete the study of these advanced polymer electrolytes by evaluating their use in rechargeable lithium batteries. The results confirm the practical interest of these electrolytes which appear to be suitable for the fabrication of batteries directed to application in emerging technologies, such as those associated to hybrid and electric vehicles.