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All-solid-state lithium batteries, often called the “holy grail” of next-generation energy storage, have long struggled with a critical issue: ensuring constant, reliable contact between the solid electrolyte and the lithium metal electrode.
Recently, researchers have developed a self-adaptive interface in these batteries that preserves close contact between the lithium anode and the solid electrolyte without the need for external pressure—a major breakthrough that addresses a significant hurdle for commercial use.
This breakthrough was published in the journal Nature Sustainability. Traditionally, maintaining contact requires bulky external pressure, which makes batteries too large and heavy for everyday applications.
Scientists from the Institute of Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, and Huazhong University of Science and Technology discovered that the connection between the lithium electrode and sulfide solid electrolyte isn’t perfect, often containing tiny pores and cracks. These imperfections not only reduce battery lifespan but also pose safety risks.
To improve this, the team introduced iodide ions into the sulfide solid electrolyte. During operation, these ions migrate to the interface under an electric field, creating an iodine-rich layer. This layer acts like a self-healing mechanism, actively attracting lithium ions and filling gaps and pores, thus ensuring a tight, stable contact between the electrode and electrolyte.
Prototypes built with this technology maintained stable performance through hundreds of charge and discharge cycles, surpassing the durability of similar existing batteries. This approach could lead to batteries with energy densities over 500 Wh/kg, doubling the lifespan of electronic devices, according to Huang Xuejie of the Institute of Physics, one of the corresponding authors.
This innovative approach is expected to accelerate the development of high-energy-density solid-state lithium batteries, which could play a vital role in humanoid robots, electric planes, electric cars, and other advanced technologies—offering safer, more efficient, and longer-lasting energy solutions, Huang stated.
By solving the core contact issue, this research marks a significant step toward the commercial viability of all-solid-state batteries, bringing them closer to real-world application, remarked Wang Chunsheng, a solid-state battery expert at the University of Maryland.
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