V2O5 xerogel lithium–polymer electrolyte batteries

In this report are described the fabrication and the characterization of a lithium-metal, polymer electrolyte battery using a V2O5 xerogel cathode. The system operates at moderate temperatures (80–100°C). The electrochemical characterization of separate components as well as of small scale devices is also reported. The work is focused on the determination of important ‘applicationʹ properties of the polymer electrolyte, i.e., the properties of the polymer electrolyte in real systems and true operating conditions. The work was developed within the ALPE (Advanced Lithium Polymer Electrolyte) project, an Italian project devoted to the realization of lithium polymer batteries for electric vehicle applications, in collaboration with the Corrosion Research Center of the University of Minnesota.