1 - Next-generation battery technology based on solid-state electrolytes

Abstract

Advanced energy storage technology, including lithium–ion batteries (LIBs), applies to a broad range of devices from consumer electronics, such as smartphones and laptops, to large-scale energy applications including microgrids and electric vehicles. Low-cost, long-term electrochemical performance, and high energy density make LIBs promising for storing energy harnessed from renewable sources. Conventional LIBs with liquid electrolytes are unsafe due to the potential formation of short circuits, fire, and explosions. In addition, conventional batteries are approaching theoretical limits for storage capacity, preventing their deployment in emerging applications. On the contrary to batteries with liquid electrolytes, solid-state batteries are considered promising and have attracted significant attention from academia to industry due to their safety, mechanical strength, and high energy density offered by lithium metal anodes. Next-generation solid-state battery technologies will require innovations in many interdisciplinary areas, such as materials science & engineering and electrochemistry. The key historical development of solid-state electrolytes, associated technical challenges, and potential strategies toward the next-generation safer and high-energy-density solid-state batteries are discussed. Furthermore, important details regarding the battery performance defined by material properties and the roadmap for future research focused on various types of solid-state batteries are provided.