Scientists from McGill University have achieved a noteworthy breakthrough in creating all-solid-state lithium batteries, which are being explored as a future advancement in electric vehicle (EV) battery technology.
This development tackles a persistent challenge affecting battery performance and could lead to safer, longer-lasting electric vehicles.
The main hurdle is the resistance that builds up where the ceramic electrolyte interfaces with the electrodes, which reduces the battery’s efficiency and overall energy delivery. The research team found that using a porous ceramic membrane instead of the conventional dense plate and adding a small amount of polymer can effectively tackle this complication.
“With a polymer-filled porous membrane, we facilitate unrestricted movement of lithium ions and eliminate the resistance at the interface between the solid electrolyte and the electrodes,” explained George Demopoulos, a Professor in the Department of Materials Engineering, who spearheaded the research.
“This not only enhances the battery’s performance but also establishes a stable interface for high-voltage operations, which is a critical objective for the industry.”
Currently, lithium-ion batteries utilize liquid electrolytes, which come with safety hazards due to their flammable nature. All-solid-state batteries aim to replace these liquid components with solids to enhance safety and performance. This innovative design offers a promising solution to one of the major barriers hindering the implementation of all-solid-state batteries in the electric vehicle sector.
“This finding brings us a step closer to developing the next generation of batteries that are both safer and more efficient for electric vehicles,” stated Senhao Wang, the primary author of the study and a PhD graduate in the Department of Materials Engineering.
