Quasi-Solid-State Electrolyte Synthesized Using a Thiol-Ene Click Chemistry for Rechargeable Lithium Metal Batteries with Enhanced Safety

Liquid electrolytes currently used in lithium-ion batteries have critical drawbacks such as high flammability, high reactivity toward electrode materials, and solvent leakage. To overcome these issues, most recent research has focused on synthesis and characterization of highly conductive gel-type polymer electrolytes containing large numbers of organic solvents in the polymer matrix. There are still many hurdles to overcome, however, before they can be applied to commercial-level lithium-ion batteries. Since a large amount of organic solvent is required to achieve high ionic conductivity, battery safety is not significantly enhanced. In our study, we synthesized highly conductive quasi-solid-state electrolytes (QSEs) containing an ionically conductive oligomer (polycaprolactone triacrylate) and a small amount of organic solvent by employing click chemistry. In the QSE, polycaprolactone participates in dissociation of lithium salt and migration of lithium ions, resulting in high ionic conductivity. The Li/ LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 cell that used this QSE exhibited good cycling performance and enhanced thermal stability, and durability; no organic solvent leakage was observed even under high pressure.