Scientists from research institutes in South Korea and the United States are developing non-flammable solid electrolytes as a safe alternative to liquid electrolytes commonly used in lithium-ion batteries. Liquid electrolytes are susceptible to fires and explosions, making it necessary to find more stable substitutes. Although solid electrolytes based on sulfide demonstrate excellent ionic conductivity, their chemical instability combined with high-voltage cathode materials makes their commercial use challenging. As a result, there is growing interest in solid electrolytes based on chloride, which exhibit stability under high-voltage conditions.
A joint research team from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has announced the development of a chloride and fluoride-based solid electrolyte. This electrolyte demonstrates high stability under high voltage and can be utilized in high energy density batteries. LLNL, known for its excellent supercomputer infrastructure, contributed to the computational research, with further experimental validations conducted with the support of KIST.
The chloride-based solid electrolyte was applied in a fully solid-state battery to assess its electrochemical stability under high voltage. Studies have shown that the battery with the solid electrolyte achieved stability exceeding 4 V, comparable to lithium-ion batteries with liquid electrolytes. This means that chloride-based solid electrolytes can replace unstable sulfide-based electrolytes, expediting the commercialization of fully solid-state batteries.
The next stages of research will involve optimizing the synthesis processes of materials, electrodes, and cell production to accelerate the commercialization of fully solid-state batteries. If successful, the research team from Korea and the United States will be able to gain a share in the market for solid electrolytes, a key component of fully solid-state batteries, in the United States – one of the largest consumers of secondary batteries, such as energy storage systems and electric vehicles.
“These studies provide new principles for designing fluoride-based solid electrolytes, which will accelerate the commercialization of next-generation lithium-ion batteries with high energy density, without the risk of fires,” said Dr. Seungho Yu from KIST. “This was a systematic, international collaboration that provided theoretical foundations for the development of a new solid electrolyte and confirmed them experimentally,” added Dr. Brandon Wood from LLNL.
Key Questions about Chloride-Based Solid Electrolytes:
1. Why are liquid electrolytes dangerous in lithium-ion batteries?
Liquid electrolytes are susceptible to fires and explosions, necessitating the search for more stable substitutes.
2. What are the advantages of chloride-based solid electrolytes?
Chloride-based solid electrolytes exhibit stability under high-voltage conditions and can replace unstable sulfide-based electrolytes, expediting the commercialization of fully solid-state batteries.
3. What are the research findings regarding the electrolyte based on chloride and fluoride?
Studies have shown that the battery with the chloride and fluoride-based solid electrolyte achieved stability exceeding 4 V, comparable to lithium-ion batteries with liquid electrolytes.
4. What are the next stages of research?
The next stages of research will involve optimizing the synthesis processes of materials, electrodes, and cell production to accelerate the commercialization of fully solid-state batteries.
5. What are the potential applications of fully solid-state batteries?
Fully solid-state batteries with chloride and fluoride-based solid electrolytes can be used in energy storage systems and electric vehicles.
Definitions:
– Electrolyte: a substance or mixture of substances that conducts an electric current in a solution or molten state.
– Ion: an atom or molecule that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a charged particle.
– Stability: the ability of a substance to maintain its form or structure without change.
Suggested Related Links:
– KIST
– Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
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