The demand for high-performance Li-ion batteries (LIBs) has grown substantially, driven by ever-expanding applications in portable electronics, electric vehicles, and renewable energy storage systems [1]. However, the commercial application of lithium-ion batteries with high capacity and high energy density has been limited due to the use of liquid organic electrolytes (LEs). They suffer from safety problems because of their flammable nature. With organic liquid electrolytes, batteries can easily catch fire and even be explosive in case of abuse, short-circuiting, or overheating. Therefore, it is urgent to develop safe and more reliable electrolyte systems. Notably, solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) offer several advantages compared to LEs in LIBs. The benefits include their non-volatility, flexibility, mechanical strength, enhanced safety, and ease of production [2]. Although SPEs can improve the safety concern of batteries highlighted above, they often display high interfacial resistance, and poor lithium-ion conductivity at room temperature (RT), failing to fulfil the practical requirements. The gel polymer electrolyte (GPEs), on the other hand, is a choice that incorporates the benefits of both the SPEs and the LEs [3]. They have the potential to overcome the safety issues associated with LEs while preserving high ion conductivity, and excellent interfacial stability, and have the potential to regulate the deposition of lithium avoiding dendrite growth. This seminar will provide a comprehensive overview of GPEs and outline the strategies and approaches employed in designing of GPEs. Additionally, it will present my research plan and the work carried out so far.

References
• Goodenough, J. B.; Park, K. S. The Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery: A Perspective. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135 (4), 1167–1176
• An, Y.; Han, X.; Liu, Y.; Azhar, A.; Na, J.; Nanjundan, A. K.; Wang, S.; Yu, J.; Yamauchi, Y. Progress in Solid Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium-Ion Batteries and Beyond. Small 2022, 18 (3), 1–36.
• Zhang, J.; Sun, B.; Huang, X.; Chen, S.; Wang, G. Honeycomb-like Porous Gel Polymer Electrolyte Membrane for Lithium Ion Batteries with Enhanced Safety. Sci. Rep. 2014, 4, 1–7.