Gel polymer electrolytes were synthesized by copolymerization polyethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate with polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate in the presence of a room temperature ionic liquid, methylpropylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (MPPY center dot TFSI). The physical properties of gel polymer electrolytes were characterized by thermal analysis, impedance spectroscopy, and electrochemical tests. The ionic conductivities of the gel polymer electrolytes increased linearly with the amount of MPPY center dot TFSI and were mainly attributed to the increased ion mobility as evidenced by the decreased glass transition temperatures. Li parallel to LiFePO4 cells were assembled using the gel polymer electrolytes containing 80 wt% MPPY center dot TFSI via an in situ polymerization method. A reversible cell capacity of 90 mAh g(-1) was maintained under the current density of C/10 at room temperature, which was increased to 130 mAh g(-1) by using a thinner membrane and cycling at 50 degrees C. Published by Elsevier Ltd.