Novel Polymer Electrolytes for Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Polymer Batteries

Abstract

Lithium‐ion polymer cells employing a carbon anode, a gel polymer electrolyte (GPE), and a lithium cobalt oxide cathode were assembled, and their charge‐discharge cycling characteristics were investigated. Gel polymer electrolytes were prepared by encapsulating an organic electrolyte solution in an acrylonitrile‐methyl methacrylate‐styrene terpolymer. A small amount of γ‐butyrolactone was added to a gel polymer electrolyte containing an ‐ethylene carbonate‐dimethyl carbonate electrolyte solution in order to improve the GPE ionic conductivity. Results showed a significant enhancement in rate capability, whereas cycling efficiency and cyclability were little changed. ©1999 The Electrochemical Society