Solid State Li-Metal Battery Based on Novel Polymer Electrolyte

Abstract

Conventional Li-ion batteries (LIBs) with unique advantages, exhibit a limited cycle life and significant safety problems due to the flammable organic solvent electrolytes. A solid-state battery (SSB) utilizing a solid electrolyte can potentially address the above issues. However, despite recent advancements, a truly commercially viable candidate for SSB electrolyte remains elusive. Although inorganic lithium-ion conductors are available, their practical applications have been mainly hindered by interfacial issues, since it is very challenging to construct intimate contact between the solid electrode and solid electrolyte due to their rigidity in conventional SSBs, leading to high polarization and low utilization of active materials. Storagenergy Technologies, Inc. has developed a novel polymer electrolyte that exhibits high Li+ conductivity, wide electrochemical window, and wide operational temperature. We also demonstrated a simple but effective interfacial engineering approach to improve the active material utilization via in-situ polymerization process. Complete characterization including cycling life, rate capability, thermal stability, calendar life and safety testing of coin cells and pouch cells with develop polymer electrolyte will be presented.