An in-situ cross-linked network PMMA-based gel polymer electrolyte with excellent lithium storage performance

Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) effectively combine the advantages of high ionic conductivity and reduce the risk of leakage associated with liquid. In this study, a chemically cross-linked gel polymer electrolyte was prepared by in-situ polymerization using polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as a matrix and neopentyl glycol diacrylate (NPGDA) as cross-linking agent. The cross-linked structure of the GPE was preliminarily investigated, as well as the influence of the degree of cross-linking on its physical properties. The GPE exhibited a superior conductivity of 1.391 mS cm−1 at 25°C. Herein, the Li|GPE|LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cell has an excellent capacity retention rate of 80.7% after 150 cycles at 0.5 C in addition to a high discharge specific capacity of 203 mAh g−1. The structure of the cathode material is shielded from the production of byproducts during the charging and discharging of lithium-ion batteries by the cross-linked PMMA GPE.