Gel Polymer Electrolytes: Advancing Solid-State Batteries for High-Performance Applications

Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) hold tremendous potential for advancing high-energy-density and safe rechargeable solid-state batteries, making them a transformative technology for advancing electric vehicles. GPEs offer high ionic conductivity and mechanical stability, enabling their use in quasi-solid-state batteries that combine solid-state interfaces with liquid-like behavior. Various GPEs based on different materials, including flame-retardant GPEs, dendrite-free polymer gel electrolytes, hybrid solid-state batteries, and 3D printable GPEs, have been developed. Significant efforts have also been directed toward improving the interface between GPEs and electrodes. The integration of gel-based electrolytes into solid-state electrochemical devices has the potential to revolutionize energy storage solutions by offering improved efficiency and reliability. These advancements find applications across diverse industries, particularly in electric vehicles and renewable energy. This review comprehensively discusses the potential of GPEs as solid-state electrolytes for diverse battery systems, such as lithium-ion batteries (LiBs), lithium metal batteries (LMBs), lithium–oxygen batteries, lithium–sulfur batteries, zinc-based batteries, sodium–ion batteries, and dual-ion batteries. This review highlights the materials being explored for GPE development, including polymers, inorganic compounds, and ionic liquids. Furthermore, it underscores the transformative impact of GPEs on solid-state batteries and their role in enhancing the performance and safety of energy storage devices.