Rechargeable Lithium Batteries - a New Battery Chemistry Based on Polymer Electrolyte and Polymeric Cathodes

A new battery chemistry based on ambient temperature Lithium ion conducting polyorganosiloxane network polymer electrolyte (PE) and polymeric redox (PRC) cathode materials has been developed at Moltech Corporation. The components of the battery system are processable materials that can be used in the fabrication of an all solid state thin film polymer electrolyte batteries of any shape, size and capacity. Prototype 2.0 mAh capacity cells in the thin film flat planar configuration showed about 80% cathode utilization at C/10 rate, excellent recharability with more than 800 cycles at 3 different C-rates and long shelf life. Based on our preliminary cell data, we propose to optimize the cell components in the design of a scaleup prototype and evaluate the electrochemical performance. Thin film rechargeable batteries of various capacity will be fabricated to determine the energy and power densities, cycle life, rate capability, charge retention capability, cycling performance and overcharge and overdischarge phenomen. Finally an attempt will be made to assess the use of the proposed Lithium/polymer electrolyte/PRC redox battery systems to power military communication equipment, portable computers and other electronic devices.