Scientists from two universities have developed an interlayer, made of a spreadable, ‘butter-like’ material to improve the performance capabilities of solid-state lithium-ion batteries.
The researchers from Sweden’s Chalmers University of Technology and China’s Xi’an Jiaotong University says the interlayer improves the current density of solid-state batteries tenfold, while also increasing performance and safety.
The material the researchers are working with is made of nanoparticles of the ceramic electrolyte, LAGP, mixed with an ionic liquid. The liquid encapsulates the LAGP particles and makes the interlayer soft and protective, say the scientists.
Shizhao Xiong, from the Department of Physics at Chalmers, said the interlayer makes the battery cell significantly more stable, and therefore able to withstand much higher current density.
“What is also important is that it is very easy to apply the soft mass onto the lithium metal anode in the battery – like spreading butter on a sandwich,” he said.
The results from the studies were presented in the scientific journal Advanced Functional Materials.
Aleksandar Matic, professor at the Department of Physics at Chalmers, said: “This is an important step on the road to being able to manufacture large-scale, cost-effective, safe and environmentally friendly batteries that deliver high capacity and can be charged and discharged at a high rate.”
