Hybrid Silica–Polymer Ionogel Solid Electrolyte with Tunable Properties

DOI: 10.1002/aenm.201301570 Over the last ten years, there has been growing interest in the use of ionic liquids (ILs) as electrolytes for applications in a range of devices, such as actuators, lithium batteries, capacitors, dye-sensitized solar cells, and fuel cells. [ 1 ] This is because ILs have a wide window of electrochemical stability, good ionic conductivity, chemical and thermal stability, and very low volatility; however, their liquid state limits their use because it is simpler to assemble entirely solid devices. As a result, much of the research has focused on immobilizing ILs within organic or inorganic host networks. [ 2 ] The use of polymers such as polyvinylidene fl uorideco -hexafl uoropropylene (PVDFco -HFP) or poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as organic matrices in the form of free-standing membranes is widespread in many fi elds. [ 3,4 ]