Cross-linked organic-inorganic solid composite electrolyte for lithium secondary batteries

1. An amorphous composite solid electrolyte comprising:

one or more three-dimensional branched macromolecules comprising a core portion and at least three arm portions connected to the core portion, each arm portion including a random copolymer or a block polymer comprising a first monomer and a second monomer with a molar ratio of the first monomer to the second monomer in the range from greater than 0 to less than or equal to 1; and the branched macromolecule is cross-linked to one or more additional three-dimensional branched macromolecules;

wherein the core portion is a polyol selected from ethylene glycol, glycerinum, pentaerythritol, xylitol, or sorbitol;

wherein the first monomer is ethylene oxide;

wherein the second monomer is propylene oxide; and

wherein each arm portion further comprises a third monomer selected from acrylate, acrylamide or epoxy;

an ion conductive electrolytic solution, wherein the ion conductive electrolytic solution comprises at least one lithium salt solution in an amount of 1 mol/l to 10 mol/l;

wherein the ion conductive electrolytic solution is entrained in the branched macromolecule, with a weight ratio of the branched macromolecule to the ion conducive electrolytic solution equal to or lower than 1:9, such that the branched macromolecule has a swelling degree of at least 5:1 (liquid:polymer in weight) of the ion conductive electrolytic solution;

wherein the branched macromolecule has a molecular weight in the range from 1,000 to 50,000; and

wherein the ion conductivity of the composite solid electrolyte is at least 1×10 −3 S/cm.

2. The amorphous composite solid electrolyte of claim 1 , further comprising electrolyte additives selected from fluoroethylene carbonate, dimethyl glycol, orthoformate fluoride, tris(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)orthoformate, 1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoro-2-propanol, membrane-forming agents, fire retardants, ceramic particles, or mixtures thereof.

3. The amorphous composite solid electrolyte of claim 1 , wherein the oxidation potential of the branched macromolecule is at least 5V.

4. A method for fabricating an amorphous composite solid electrolyte, forming a three-dimensional branched macromolecule is by a method comprising:

(i) reacting polyether polyol with a diisocyanate selected from 1,4-diisocyanatobutane, hexamethylene diisocyanate, 1,4-phenylene diisocyanate, trans-1,4-cyclohexylene diisocyanate, or diphenylmethane 4,4′-diisocyanate to form a first mixture;

wherein dibutyltin dilaurate is used as catalyst for the reaction;

wherein the three-dimensional branched macromolecules in the first mixture comprises a core portion and at least three arm portions connected to the core portion, each arm portion including a random copolymer or a block polymer comprising a first monomer and a second monomer with a molar ratio of the first monomer to the second monomer in the range from greater than 0 to less than or equal to 1; and the branched macromolecule is cross-linked to one or more additional three-dimensional branched macromolecules;

wherein the polyol is selected from ethylene glycol, glycerinum, pentaerythritol, xylitol, or sorbitol;

wherein the first monomer is ethylene oxide;

wherein the second monomer is propylene oxide; and

wherein each arm portion further comprises a third monomer selected from acrylate, acrylamide or epoxy;

wherein the branched macromolecule has a molecular weight in the range from 1,000 to 50,000;

(ii) synthesizing at least one ion conductive electrolytic solution by mixing a lithium compound with a solvent, wherein the lithium salt solution is in an amount of approximately 1 mol/1 to 10 mol/l;

(iii) fabricating an electrolyte precursor by mixing the branched macromolecules, the ion conductive electrolytic solution, and at least one initiator; wherein the mass ratio of the branched macromolecule to the ion conductive electrolytic solution is equal to or lower than 10 wt. % and the branched macromolecule has a swelling degree of at least 5:1 (liquid:polymer in weight) of the ion conductive electrolytic solution;

(iv) solidifying the electrolyte precursor by UV irradiation or heating;

wherein the ion conductivity of the fabricated composite solid electrolyte is at least 1×10 −3 S/cm.

5. The method for fabricating the amorphous composite solid electrolyte of claim 4 , further comprising including one or more additives selected from fluoroethylene carbonate, dimethyl glycol, orthoformate fluoride, tris(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)orthoformate, 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol, membrane-forming agents, fire retardants, or ceramic particles into the solid electrolyte fabricated by said method.

6. The method for fabricating the amorphous composite solid electrolyte of claim 4 , wherein the oxidation potential of branched macromolecule is at least 5V.

7. The method for fabricating the amorphous composite solid electrolyte of claim 4 , wherein the energy density of a secondary lithium-ion battery composed of the composite solid electrolyte is at least 300 Wh/kg.

8. A secondary lithium-ion battery including a lithium metal anode and the amorphous composite solid electrolyte of claim 1 , wherein the energy density of the battery is at least 300 Wh/kg.