The polymer electrolyte based on semi-interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) structure for protection was formed on lithium electrode surface by the ultraviolet (UV) radiation-curing method. A curable mixed solution consists of linear polymer (Kynar 2801), a crosslinking agent (1,6-Hexanediol diacrylate), liquid electrolyte (ethylene carbonate (EC)/propylene carbonate (PC)/1 M LiClO4), and a photoinitiator (methyl benzoylformate). The lithium morphology deposited on the protected lithium electrode was less dendritic and smoother than that on the nonprotected lithium electrode during the 1st charge at 0.25 mAcm(-2). The discharge capacity obtained from the unit cell applying the lithium anode protected with gel polymer electrolyte based on semi-IPN [Kynar 2801/1,6-Hexanediol diacrylate, 5/5 (w/w)] was 80% of the initial discharge capacity during 100 cycles at C/2 rate (1.25 mAcm(-2)). (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.