New approaches to developing lithium polymer batteries

The electrochemical and physical-chemical properties of two families of lithium ion conducting membranes, i.e., the blends between high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) with a lithium salt commonly named "polymer electrolytes" and the gels of liquid solutions in a polymer matrix commonly named "gel electrolytes," are repoted and discussed. Particular attention is devoted to the newly developed approach of dispersing ceramic powders at the nanoscale particle dimension into the two types of membranes. This leads "nanocomposite" membranes having unique features, such as improved transport and interfacial properties in the case of the polymer electrolytes and enhanced liquid retention capability in the case of the gel electrolytes. Finally, the use of the gel electrolytes for the development of new-design, plastic-like, lithium-ion batteries is illustrated.