Advancements in solid-state battery research are leading to safer and longer-lasting energy storage options. A recent review highlights significant progress in inorganic solid electrolytes and their impact on improving battery performance. The study also discusses major challenges, such as the compatibility at interfaces, while suggesting creative solutions for future battery technologies.
The rapid progress in solid-state battery technology is opening new doors for energy storage solutions, which could transform various sectors, including electric vehicles and renewable energy systems. Innovations in electrolyte design have been instrumental in this movement, boosting the performance and advancement of high-performance all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs).
A recent review article thoroughly examined these advancements and summarized current research on inorganic solid electrolytes (ISEs) utilized in ASSBs. Researchers investigated how materials like oxides, sulfides, hydroborates, antiperovskites, and halides are essential in powering the next generation of batteries. These substances serve not only as electrolytes but also as catholytes and interface layers to improve battery efficiency and safety.
“We focused on the latest breakthroughs in the synthesis of these materials, emphasizing innovative techniques that allow for the precise adjustment of their properties to comply with the high standards required for ASSBs,” states Eric Jianfeng Cheng, an associate professor at Tohoku University’s Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR). “This precise adjustment is vital for creating batteries that offer greater energy densities, longer lifespans, and enhanced safety compared to traditional liquid batteries.”
Cheng and his team also examined the essential electrochemical attributes of ISEs, such as ionic conductivity, stability, and compatibility with electrodes. They analyzed current ASSB models and proposed emerging strategies that could lead to advancements in energy storage.
However, the review pointed out that there are still many obstacles in the development of ASSBs. A crucial challenge is the limited compatibility between ISEs and electrodes, resulting in potentially damaging interfacial reactions. Addressing these concerns is essential for boosting the efficiency and durability of ASSBs. The review detailed these challenges while providing insights into ongoing efforts to resolve them.
“Our thorough review emphasizes the necessity of ongoing research and development in the realm of solid-state batteries. Through the creation of new materials, refinement of synthesis methods, and resolution of compatibility issues, current initiatives are fostering innovations that could significantly change how we store and utilize energy,” Cheng added.
The review was published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A.
