Solid-State Electrolytes for Safer and High-Performance Lithium Batteries

Abstract

An attractive alternative to traditional liquid electrolytes that could lead to safer, more energy-dense, and longer-lasting lithium batteries is the solid-state electrolyte (SSE) transition. Dendrite development and thermal runaway are among the safety problems that can occur when using traditional liquid electrolytes, despite their efficiency in ionic conduction. These electrolytes also have issues with flammability, leakage, and low electrochemical stability, which makes them incompatible with high-capacity lithium metal anodes. One possible solution to these problems is the use of solid-state electrolytes, which can improve safety and performance while also being non-flammable, physically robust, and having a large electrochemical window. These materials include composite hybrids, inorganic ceramics, and polymers. The ionic conductivities of ceramic electrolytes based on sulfides or oxides have recently been enhanced to levels comparable to those of liquid systems, while SSEs made of polymers or composites have shown remarkable improvements in processability, interfacial contact, and flexibility. There are still some major obstacles to overcome, such as ceramics' mechanical brittleness, dendritic penetration, and the low room-temperature conductivity of many polymer systems. Various approaches are being considered to overcome these constraints, including engineering the interface, using nanofillers, and creating hybrid SSEs. In addition, ionic transport, electrode compatibility, scalability, and cost must all be carefully considered when incorporating SSEs into realistic solid-state battery designs.