Crosslinked solidified gel electrolytes via in-situ polymerization featuring high ionic conductivity and stable lithium deposition for long-term durability lithium battery

Gel Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium Batteries: Advantages, Challenges, and Perspectives

The increasing demand for high-energy-density and safe lithium batteries has driven significant advancements in electrolyte technology. Among the various options, gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) have emerged as a promising solution, combining the high ionic conductivity of liquid electrolytes with the structural integrity of solid-state (polymer) electrolytes. GPEs possess a hybrid structure composed of a polymer matrix, lithium salts, one or more solvents or plasticizers, and often functional additives, offering exceptional flexibility, adaptability, and performance for advanced energy storage systems. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of GPE technology for lithium batteries, covering fabrication methods, advantages, and challenges, while emphasizing potential application scenarios and the underlying mechanisms. Finally, future research directions are outlined to provide valuable insights and guidelines for advancing GPE technology.

Ionic Covalent Organic Framework Solid-State Electrolytes

Rechargeable secondary batteries, widely used in modern technology, are essential for mobile and consumer electronic devices and energy storage applications. Lithium (Li)-ion batteries are currently the most popular choice due to their decent energy density. However, the increasing demand for higher energy density has led to the development of Li metal batteries (LMBs). Despite their potential, the commonly used liquid electrolyte-based LMBs present serious safety concerns, such as dendrite growth and the risk of fire and explosion. To address these issues, using solid-state electrolytes in batteries has emerged as a promising solution. In this Perspective, recent advancements are discussed in ionic covalent organic framework (ICOFs)-based solid-state electrolytes, identify current challenges in the field, and propose future research directions. Highly crystalline ion conductors with polymeric versatility show promise as the next-generation solid-state electrolytes. Specifically, the use of anionic or cationic COFs is examined for Li-based batteries, highlight the high interfacial resistance caused by the intrinsic brittleness of crystalline ICOFs as the main limitation, and presents innovative ideas for developing all- and quasi-solid-state batteries using ICOF-based solid-state electrolytes. With these considerations and further developments, the potential for ICOFs is optimistic about enabling the realization of high-energy-density all-solid-state LMBs.