High-Performance Gel Polymer Electrolyte Based on Chitosan-Lignocellulose for Lithium-Ion Batteries

A new gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) based on chitosan-lignocellulose composites with a smooth and porous structure for applications in lithium-ion batteries was prepared. The obtained GPE matrix and GPE show excellent comprehensive performances. The GPE matrix based on the composite containing 15 % chitosan (denoted CSLC-15) had the best performance, with liquid electrolyte uptake of up to 749.1 wt %. The ionic conductivity for corresponding GPE is 2.89 mS cm(-1) at room temperature, and the lithium ion transference number is 0.90. The GPE proved promising for use in lithium-ion batteries, offering a large electrochemical window (4.8 V) and excellent interfacial compatibility (a stable impedance value of 227.97 omega after 30 days). Moreover, the GPE shows excellent thermal and mechanical properties, and high C-rates capability (163.13 mAh g(-1), 152.53 mAh g(-1), 144.27 mAh g(-1), 128.45 mAh g(-1), 156.12 mAh g(-1), at 0.2 C, 0.5 C, 1.0 C, 2.0 C, 0.2 C, respectively) and cycle performance (161.99 mAh g(-1) at the 99(th) cycle of 0.2 C), which proved its suitability of use in lithium-ion batteries.