Polymer-based batteries, including metal/polymer electrode combinations, should be distinguished from metal-polymer batteries, such as a lithium polymer battery, which most often involve a polymeric electrolyte, as opposed to polymeric active materials. Organic polymers can be processed at relatively low temperatures, lowering costs.
Future generations of solid-state lithium-ion batteries based on hybrid ceramic-polymer electrolytes could offer the potential for greater energy storage, faster recharging, and higher electrochemical and thermal stability – while overcoming many of the technology challenges associated with earlier solid-state batteries.
Polymer-based batteries, however, have a more efficient charge/discharge process, resulting in improved theoretical rate performance and increased cyclability. To charge a polymer-based battery, a current is applied to oxidize the positive electrode and reduce the negative electrode.
The all-polymer film batteries can be efficiently made by sandwiching the membrane soaked with an electrolyte between prepared electrode films due to the simple construction of symmetric electrodes.
Polymers play a crucial role in improving the performance of the ubiquitous lithium ion battery. But they will be even more important for the development of sustainable and versatile post-lithium battery technologies, in particular solid-state batteries.
Furthermore, functional polymers play an active and important role in the development of post-Li ion batteries. In particular, ion conducting polymer electrolytes are key for the development of solid-state battery technologies, which show benefits mostly related to safety, flammability, and energy density of the batteries.