Thanks to their high energy density,
lithium/sodium metal batteries
(LMBs/SMBs) are considered to be the most promising next-generation
energy storage system. However, the instability of the electrode/electrolyte
interface and dendrite growth seriously hinders commercial application
of LMBs/SMBs. In addition, traditional liquid electrolytes are inflammable
and explosive. As a key part of the battery, the electrolyte plays
an important role in solving the abovementioned problems. Although
solid electrolytes can alleviate dendrite growth and liquid electrolyte
leakage, their low ionic conductivity and poor interfacial contact
are not conducive to improvement of overall LMBs/SMB performances.
Therefore, it is necessary to find a balance between liquid and solid
electrolytes. Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) are one means for achieving
high-performance LMBs/SMBs because they combine the advantages of
liquid and solid electrolytes. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)
benefit from high specific surface areas, ordered internal porous
structures, organic–inorganic hybrid properties, and show great
potential in modified electrolytes. Here, Cu-based MOF-supported poly(ethylene
oxide) composite gel polymer electrolytes (CGPEs) were prepared by
ultraviolet curing. This CGPE exhibited high ionic conductivity, a
wide electrochemical window, and a high ion transference number. In
addition, it also exhibited excellent cycle stability in symmetric
batteries and LMBs/SMBs. This study showed that CGPE had great practical
application potential in the next-generation LMBs/SMBs.