Method of preparing polymeric electrolytes

A method of preparing an non-aqueous electrochemical cell which comprises the steps of:

• providing an anode;
• providing a cathode;
• preparing a polymeric electrolyte by:
• (i) forming an organic emulsion comprising an organic solvent and having a non-polar phase comprising non-polar polymer precursors and a polar phase comprising polar polymer precursors wherein the polar phase is substantially immiscible in the non-polar phase, said emulsion further including an effective amount of surfactant to maintain said emulsion;
• (ii) initiating polymerization of said non-polar polymer precursors to form first polymers and of said polar polymer precursors to form second polymers wherein said first polymers are crosslinked by said second polymers to form a polymeric matrix;
• and
• (iii) adding an inorganic salt to said polymeric matrix;
• and
• interposing said polymeric electrolyte between said anode and cathode.