Progress in Solid Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium-Ion Batteries and Beyond

Solid-state polymer electrolytes (SPEs) for high electrochemical performance lithium-ion batteries have received considerable attention due to their unique characteristics; they are not prone to leakage, and they exhibit low flammability, excellent processability, good flexibility, high safety levels, and superior thermal stability. However, current SPEs are far from commercialization, mainly due to the low ionic conductivity, low Li+ transference number (t(Li+)), poor electrode/electrolyte interface contact, narrow electrochemical oxidation window, and poor long-term stability of Li metal. Recent work on improving electrochemical performance and these aspects of SPEs are summarized systematically here with a particular focus on the underlying mechanisms, and the improvement strategies are also proposed. This review could lead to a deeper consideration of the issues and solutions affecting the application of SPEs and pave a new pathway to safe, high-performance lithium-ion batteries.