Study on the Cycling Performances of Lithium-Ion Polymer Cells Containing Polymerizable Additives

Gel polymer electrolytes were prepared by immersing a porous poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) membrane in an electrolyte solution containing small amounts of polymerizable additive (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene, thiophene, biphenyl). The organic additives were electrochemically oxidized to form conductive polymer films on the electrode at high potential. With the gel polymer electrolytes containing different organic additive, lithium-ion polymer cells composed of carbon anode and LiCo$O_2$ cathode were assembled and their cycling performances were evaluated. Adding small amounts of thiophene or 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene to the gel polymer electrolyte was found to reduce the charge transfer resistance in the cell and it thus exhibited less capacity fading and better high rate performance.