Preparation of gel polymer electrolytes using PMMA interpenetrating polymeric network and their electrochemical performances

A gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) is prepared from polymethylmethacrylate interpenetrating polymer network, benzoyl peroxide, and 1.1 M LiPF6/EC-DEC (1:1 vol.%). The LiCoO2/graphite cells are prepared and their electrochemical properties were evaluated at various current densities and temperatures. The viscosity of the precursor containing 5 vol.% curable mixture is around 4.6 mPa s. The ionic conductivity of the GPE at 20 degreesC is around 5.8 x 10(-3) S cm(-1). The GPE has good electrochemical stability up to 4.8 V vs. Li/Li+. The capacity of the cell at 1.0C rate is 82% of the discharge capacity at 0.2C rate. The capacity of the cell at -10 degreesC is 86% of the discharge capacity at 20 degreesC. Discharge capacity of the cell with GPE is stable with charge-discharge cycling. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.