A fire-resistant organophosphorus gel polymer electrolyte additive for usein rechargeable lithium batteries

The development of a small-molecule organophosphorus gel polymer electrolyt e additive for use in rechargeable lithium batteries is described. This org anophosphorus additive is less volatile and more resistant to ignition than propylene carbonate, a well known component of gel polymer electrolytes. M oreover, the ionic conductivities of gels containing the organophosphorus a dditive at low molar concentrations (11-21%) exceed the ionic conductivitie s of gels containing equimolar amounts of propylene carbonate (5.3 x 10(-5) versus 4.8 x 10(-5) S/cm). At higher molar concentrations (31-52%) there i s evidence of phase separation, but conductivities remain comparable to pro pylene carbonate systems. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserve d.