Preparation of organic/inorganic hybrid semi-interpenetrating network polymer electrolytes based on poly(ethylene oxide-co-ethylene carbonate) for all-solid-state lithium batteries at elevated temperatures

Organic/inorganic hybrid semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN) polymer electrolytes (HIPEs) based on poly(ethylene oxide-co-ethylene carbonate) (PEOEC) have been developed for all-solid-state lithium battery applications. In comparison to those of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), salient features of the PEOEC are the amorphous nature and high dielectric constant, which provide enhanced ionic conductivity. The organic/inorganic hybrid network matrix in the HIPEs is composed of different contents of photo-cross-linked octa-functional POSS acrylate (OA-POSS) and ethoxylated trimethylolpropane triacrylate (ETPTA). The effect of OA-POSS on solid-state electrolyte properties of the HIPEs is investigated in terms of the dimensional stability, thermal behavior, and ionic conductivity. Due to the presence of the rigid and bulky POSS moiety, the HIPEs exhibit improvement in ionic conductivity along with enhanced dimensional stability. The high capacity and good cycle performance of lithium batteries with the HIPEs demonstrate feasibility of applying the HIPEs to solid-state electrolytes for all-solid-state lithium batteries that can operate at elevated temperatures.