Novel semi-solid electrolytes for Li-based batteries

Electrolytes of relevance for high performance batteries have to fulfill a variety of restrictive criteria: Not only is high Li conductivity a necessary condition to avoid too high losses, also an anion contribution as low as possible is desired as otherwise concentration polarization occurs [1]. Furthermore, the electrolyte should be mechanically stable. Beyond that, it should wet the electrodes, which is particularly crucial if nano-structured electrodes are used, as best achieved by liquid electrolytes. It goes without saying that the electrolytes must be — at least kinetically — stable against the electrode phases and of course not being too costly or environmentally problematic. Based on our theoretical and experimental work we offer two solutions.