Porous Polymer Gel Electrolytes Influence Lithium Transference Number and Cycling in Lithium-Ion Batteries

To improve the energy density of lithium-ion batteries, development advanced electrolytes with enhanced transport properties is highly important. Here, we show that by confining conventional electrolyte (1 M LiPF6 in EC-DEC) a microporous polymer network, cation transference number increases to 0.79 while maintaining an ionic conductivity on order 10−3 S cm−1. By comparison, non-porous, condensed same chemistry has lower and conductivity, 0.65 7.6 × 10−4 cm−1, respectively. Within Li-metal/LiFePO4 cells, improved porous enable substantial performance enhancements compared commercial separator terms rate capability, capacity retention, active material utilization, efficiency. These results highlight importance structure–performance property relationships help guide future engineering better materials.