Gel Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium Ion Batteries
Summary
Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) are semi-solid media composed of a polymer host swollen with a liquid lithium-salt solution, blending the ionic conductivity of liquids with the mechanical integrity of solids. Common polymer matrices include poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropene), polyacrylonitrile and poly(ethylene oxide), often reinforced with inorganic fillers or plasticisers to enhance ionic pathways and dimensional stability. In a GPE, lithium ions migrate through interconnected pores or along polymer chains, a process governed by segmental motion and solvation dynamics. Compared with conventional liquid electrolytes, GPEs offer improved safety through reduced leakage and flammability, better interfacial contact with electrodes and the potential for flexible cell designs. Key challenges remain in boosting room-temperature ionic conductivity to match liquid systems, maintaining stable electrode–electrolyte interfaces over prolonged cycling and ensuring performance across a wide temperature range. Recent advances focus on cross-linking strategies, nanoscale filler incorporation and optimised polymer architectures to reconcile the trade-off between mechanical robustness and ion transport, with the ultimate aim of enabling high-energy, safe and durable lithium-ion cells for portable electronics and electric vehicles.
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Gel Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium Ion Batteries publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in gel polymer electrolytes for lithium ion batteries across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Gel polymer electrolyte (GPE): A semi-solid electrolyte in which a polymer network holds liquid lithium-salt solution, combining solid mechanical properties with liquid-like ion transport.
Ionic conductivity: A measure of the ability of ions to move through an electrolyte, expressed in siemens per centimetre (S cm⁻¹).
Porosity: The fraction of void space within the polymer matrix that can be filled by liquid electrolyte, influencing ion mobility.
Coulombic efficiency: The ratio of charge extracted during discharge to charge input during charging, indicating charge-transfer reversibility.
Electrochemical window: The voltage range over which an electrolyte remains stable without decomposition, determining usable cell voltage.
References
- One-step radiation synthesis of gel polymer electrolytes with high ionic conductivity for lithium-ion batteries. Journal of Materials Chemistry A (2017).
- Fibrous gel polymer electrolyte for an ultrastable and highly safe flexible lithium‐ion battery in a wide temperature range. Carbon Energy (2021).
- Trade‐offs between ion‐conducting and mechanical properties: The case of polyacrylate electrolytes. Carbon Energy (2022).
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