New Metrial Enhance Safety and Performance in Solid-State Li-Ion Batteries

Dew Briefs:

Source: Tokyo University of Science

Tokyo University of Science (TUS) is a famous university in Japan, which focused on science. It started in 1881 and teaches people to love science and does research to help nature, people, and society.

Solid-state batteries using this electrolyte are safer than traditional liquid electrolyte batteries, reducing the risk of fire or leakage in EVs.

In a recent study published in Chemistry of Materials on 28 March 2024, led by Professor Kenjiro Fujimoto and team unveiled a breakthrough solid electrolyte, a pyrochlore-type oxyfluoride, which addresses these challenges.

This material is stable, highly conductive, and maintains stability in the air, paving the way for enhanced solid-state batteries.

The discovery marks a significant step forward in advancing safer, more efficient solid-state lithium-ion batteries, offering improved conductivity and stability for future applications.

The new material’s conductivity remains consistent even at -10°C, equivalent to conventional oxide-based solid electrolytes at room temperature. With verified conductivity above 100°C, the operating range of this solid electrolyte spans from -10°C to 100°C, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

The electrolyte’s ability to operate in a wide temperature range (-10°C to 100°C) makes it suitable for use in EVs in various climates and weather conditions.

Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries limited to operating between 0°C to 45°C, this new material’s versatility in temperature range opens up possibilities for various uses, including electric vehicles and other high-capacity applications.

The new material offers several advantages, including high stability, non-flammability, and the ability to operate in a wide temperature range. Its application extends to critical safety environments like airplanes, high-capacity applications such as electric vehicles, and potential uses in miniaturized batteries for home appliances and medical devices.

With improved stability and conductivity, EVs using these batteries may have longer driving ranges between charges, making them more practical and convenient for daily use.

The material’s properties make it a promising innovation for future battery technologies, meeting the performance requirements for electric vehicles and other demanding applications.

• Dr. Kenjiro Fujimoto is a Professor at Tokyo University of Science’s Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry.
• He received his Ph.D. in 2001 from Tokyo University of Science.
• His research interests include Inorganic Materials Chemistry, Solid State Chemistry, Combinatorial Technology, and Materials Informatics.
• He has published over 98 referred papers and holds 14 Japan patents and two U.S.A patents in these subjects.
• Currently, he is focused on the development of combinatorial technology for high-throughput exploration of multi-component inorganic materials.
• His work also involves the application of these materials for energy/environmental purposes and materials informatics.

Diver Insights:

Scientists found a new type of material called pyrochlore-type oxyfluoride. It’s great for making batteries because it conducts electricity well, stays stable in air, and works in different temperatures. Studying how it works and if it can be used in all-solid-state batteries is important for making even better batteries.

• Discovery: Scientists find a stable and highly conductive lithium-ion conductor, Li1.25La0.58Nb2O6F, with a pyrochlore-type oxyfluoride structure.
• Conductivity: It exhibits exceptional ionic conductivity, surpassing previous oxide-based solid electrolytes.
• Safety: Highly stable, eliminating risks of ignition and toxic gas generation.
• Versatility: Suitable for critical applications like airplanes and electric vehicles, as well as miniaturized batteries and medical devices.
• Future Research: Focus on understanding conduction mechanisms and potential for all-solid-state batteries.