Flame-Resistant Hybrid Inorganic-Polymeric Solid-State Electrolytes and Lithium Batteries Containing Same

A rechargeable lithium battery comprising an anode, a cathode, and a hybrid electrolyte in ionic communication with the anode and the cathode, wherein: (a) the hybrid electrolyte comprises a mixture of a polymer and particles of an inorganic solid electrolyte; (b) the polymer is a polymerization or crosslinking product of a reactive additive, wherein the reactive additive comprises (i) a first liquid solvent that is polymerizable, (ii) an initiator or curing agent, and (iii) a lithium salt; (c) the polymer is present in the anode, the cathode, the separator, between the anode and the separator, or between the cathode and the separator; and (d) the hybrid electrolyte forms a contiguous phase in the cathode or in the anode, and occupies from 3% to 40% by volume of the cathode or from 3% to 40% by volume of the anode. Also provided is a process for producing the lithium cell.