Mechanically robust solid electrolyte compositions for alkali and beyond alkali metal batteries

A solid-state battery comprising:

• a) an anode;
• (b) a cathode;
• and
• (c) a solid electrolyte composition comprising the following components:
• (i) a crosslinked organic polymer containing at least one of oxygen and nitrogen atoms;
• (ii) an inorganic component having a metal oxide or metal sulfide composition and which is distributed throughout the crosslinked organic polymer and interacts by hydrogen bonding with the crosslinked organic polymer;
• and
• (iii) metal ions selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, and aluminum;
• wherein the solid electrolyte is in the shape of a film having a thickness of up to 200 microns.

A method for producing a solid electrolyte composition, the method comprising:

• (a) homogeneously mixing the following components:
• (i) an organic polymer containing at least one of oxygen and nitrogen atoms;
• (ii) an inorganic component having a metal oxide or metal sulfide composition;
• (iii) metal ions selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, and aluminum, and (iv-b) a low-boiling solvent functioning to dissolve components (i) and (iii), wherein the low-boiling solvent has a boiling point of less than 120° C.;
• (b) crosslinking the organic polymer to produce a crosslinked organic polymer;
• and
• (c) removing the low-boiling solvent;
• wherein the inorganic component is distributed throughout the crosslinked organic polymer and interacts by hydrogen bonding with the crosslinked organic polymer.