Polymer electrolyte and polymer battery

Abstract

The development of organic or inorganic lithium-ion conductor such as lithium super-ion conducting glass (LISICON), lithium iodide (LiI), solid polymer electrolytes(SPE) were activated with progress of a lithium battery. In these electrolytes, the technology of solid electrolyte is useful to improve the performance of batteries. Recentry, SPE have attracted much attention because they will be especially advantageous for high-ionic conductivity and high processability. Generally, batteries using SPE for three main elements, such as positive electrode, electrolyte, and negative electrode, are called "polymer batteries". Polyme battery have been developed by several companies [Sony, Lithium Technology Corporation, Ultralife Batteries Inc., MoltechCorporation, SAFT (Alcatel), TDI Batteries Inc., PolyPlus Battery Company etc.] in order to attain superior characteristics, such as high reliability, nonleakage of liquid electrolyte, ultrathin form, flexibility, and high-energy density. An aqueous gel electrolyte has been used in dry cells for prevention of leakage of the liquid electrolyte for a long time. By adding a gelatinizer such as dextrin, starch, cross-linked starch, and carboxymethylcellulose to a liquid electrolyte, the electrolyte changes into semisolid state. As well as the gel for the dry cell, solidification technology is indispensable for the advancement of nonaqueous batteries. SPE will become a key material for the next generation of Lithium batteries. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.