  Polymer-based batteries offer potentially higher power densities and a
smaller ecological footprint compared to state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries
comprising inorganic active materials. However, in order to benefit from this
potential advantages, further research to find suitable material compositions
is required. In the present paper, we compare two different electrode
composites of poly(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxy-4-ylmethacrylate) (PTMA)
and CMK-8, one produced with and one without crosslinking the PTMA. The
influence of both approaches on the corresponding electrodes is comparatively
investigated using electrochemical measurements and statistical 3D
microstructure analysis based on synchrotron X-ray tomography. A particular
focus is put on the local heterogeneity in the coating and how the crosslinking
influences the interaction between PTMA and CMK-8. It is shown that crosslinked
PTMA--compared to its non-crosslinked counterpart--exhibits a more
heterogeneous microstructure and, furthermore, leads to better surface coverage
of CMK-8, larger pores and shorter transportation pathways through the latter.
These changes improve the electrochemical properties of the electrode.
