Novel Conductive Gel Polymers based on Acrylates and Ionic Liquids

In this work, novel ionic gel conductive polymers were synthesised using thermally and UV-light induced polymerization. The gel polymers are based on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) containing ionic liquids (IL) and conductive salt (lithium bis(trifluoro-methanesulfonyl)imide, LiTFSI). Additional acrylates like 2-ethoxyethyl methacrylate (EEMA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) were used to modify and increase lithium mobility in these gel type networks. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was utilized to determine ionic conductivity and thermal analysis (DSC, TGA) to determine thermal behavior. Cell tests were performed as proof-of-principle studies for using gel polymer electrolytes in cell systems including electrode materials like Li[Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3]O2 (NMC), graphite (C) and lithium metal (Li).