High Voltage Lithium Polymer Cells Using a PAN-Based Composite Electrolyte

In this work we report the characteristics and the properties of a composite gel-type polymer electrolyte formed by trapping a -propylene carbonate solution into a poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) matrix with the addition of dispersed ceramic powder. The values of the ionic conductivity, i.e. , at 25°C, and of the electrochemical stability window, i.e. , exceeding 5.5 V vs. Li, make this electrolyte particularly suitable to be used as separator in high voltage, rechargeable lithium polymer batteries. Two types of these batteries, differing from the nature of the cathode material, have been assembled and tested. The results show that these batteries are promising in terms of discharge rate and cycle life.