Superior safety and higher energy density make better solid state batteries appear an obvious choice. However, we still seem years away from affordable ones able to power EV’s for hundreds of miles.
But now a team from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Berkeley Lab and Florida State University claims a break through. They say they have found a work around expensive critical minerals.
Better Solid State Batteries with More Conductive Pathways
Lithium-ion battery electrolyte behaves like a transport terminal, shuttling the ions back a forth as fast as possible. Solid state versions use expensive minerals, as opposed to the liquid or polymer gel electrolytes in regular ones.
Researchers need to resolve this cost challenge soon, because liquid electrolytes are prone to overheating, fire, and loss of charge. This is also becoming strategically important, because North America imports some solid state materials.
Perhaps the Answer Is a Mix of Various Metal Elements
The researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Florida State University have refocused their lens. They report success with a new type of solid electrolyte comprising a mix of various metal elements.
This new combination of materials could result in a more conductive solid electrolyte, they say. And one that is less dependent on a large quantity of an individual element. They have demonstrated success with their concept, by synthesizing and testing several lithium- and sodium-mixed-metal combinations.
Greatly-Enhanced Ion Conductivity in Better Solid State Batteries
The researchers believe synthesizing these new multi-metal materials creates novel solid electrolyte pathways. They compare this with adding expressways on congested highways, so lithium ions move faster through the electrolyte.
This new knowledge prepares the way for creating better solid state batteries for commercial exploitation. The team’s next step will be to investigate additional solid electrolyte materials, which should improve battery performance in the laboratory even more.
More Information
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