Exploring polymeric lithium tartaric acid borate for thermally resistant polymer electrolyte of lithium batteries

A novel polymeric lithium tartaric acid borate (PLTB) was synthesized via an one-step reaction in aqueous solution. The polymer electrolyte of PLTB@PVDF-HFP (poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropene)) was developed by a doctor-blading followed by a soaking process in propylene carbonate (PC). It was manifested that the PC swollen PLTB@PVDF-HFP exhibited excellent electrochemical stability and compatibility with lithium metal electrode, high ionic conductivity and high lithium ion transference number at an operating temperature of 80 degrees C. The cells using the PC swollen PLTB@PVDF-HFP as electrolyte showed stable charge/discharge profiles, preferable rate capability and satisfactory cycling performance at high temperature. These superior performances of PC swollen PLTB@PVDF-HFP could endow this class of polymer electrolyte a very promising application in lithium batteries operating at relatively high temperature. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.