In Situ Polymerized Methacrylate Based Electrolyte for Lithium-Ion Batteries

We propose a novel approach for incorporating a polymer electrolyte into lithium-ion batteries by employing a pre-polymer electrolyte (PPE). The PPE consists of a conventional carbonate-based electrolyte that also contains 2-(trimethylsilyloxy)ethyl methacrylate (TSEMA) as a monomer and 2,2 '-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (AIBN) as an initiator; this combination can form a gel-type polymer electrolyte after being subjected to an aging process. The results confirm that aging the PPE at 45 degrees C leads to the successful formation of a gel-type polymer in the cell through an in-situ polymerization reaction. The in-situ-formed gel-type polymer electrolyte demonstrates relatively low ionic conductivity compared to conventional electrolytes, but it can still be used in lithium-ion batteries, since an ionic network is well developed on the electrode. The combination of lithium titanium oxide anode materials and this in-situ-formed gel-type polymer electrolyte is compatible with high temperatures, as the cell cycled with the methacrylate-based in-situ-formed electrolyte exhibits stable cycling retention after 50 cycles.