A Safe Rechargeable Lithium Battery for Wide Temperature Operation

Presented herein is a rechargeable lithium battery (504) that includes a cathode (510), a liquid electrolyte, a solid electrolyte (508), and an anode (506). The anode is at least partially coated or plated with the solid electrolyte. The cathode may be porous and infiltrated by the liquid electrolyte. The cathode may also include a binder having a solid graft copolymer electrolyte (GCE). In certain embodiments, the liquid electrolyte is replaced by a gel electrolyte that includes a polymer ionic liquid (PIL) and a GCE. The battery achieves a high energy density and operates sagely over a wide range of temperatures.