Development of gel-polymer electrolytes and nano-structured electrodes for Li-ion polymer batteries

A novel methacrylic gel-polymer membrane was synthesized by free radical photo polymerisation (UV-curing technique). The polymerisation was very easy, fast and reliable and the membrane shows good behaviour in terms of both conductivity and cyclability in Li cells. The anode materials were prepared by high energy ball milling obtaining nanocrystalline Ni–Sn alloys, while the hydrothermal processing in presence of a template was used to prepare nanostructured LiFePO₄/C as cathode material. Every component has been characterised separately from the structural and electrochemical point of view. The first experimental data on the performance of a complete Li-ion polymer cell assembled with the components studied are also presented. The results obtained demonstrate the overall satisfying, and some superior performances of the various single components and their feasibility as a complete system.