Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are attractive alternatives to flammable organic liquid electrolytes in lithium metal batteries. However, they suffer from low ionic conductivity and poor interfacial performance. This paper proposes a novel liquid polymer electrolyte (LPE) concept, using a room-temperature liquid-state brush-like polymer as the sole solvent for lithium salts. This solvent-free LPE is non-flammable, exhibits high ionic conductivity, suppresses lithium dendrite growth, and enables stable long-term cycling over a wide temperature range. Pouch cells demonstrate resistance to thermal abuse, vacuum, and mechanical stress, highlighting the improved safety and performance of this new electrolyte design.

Guo-Rui Zhu, Qin Zhang, Qing-Song Liu, Qi-Yao Bai, Yi-Zhou Quan, You Gao, Gang Wu, Yu-Zhong Wang