New Solid-State Battery Bids Farewell to Life-Span Limiting Dendrites

A team of Samsung-sponsored researchers reported in a Nature article an innovative design of solid-state batteries, which has a prolonged life cycle and enhanced charging capacity.

In conventional lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, dendrites can form during the charging process because of the randomness of the metallic lithium returned and embedded in the anode. These lifespan-threatening crystals accumulate and can eventually breach the separator, causing the battery to shortcircuit.

The Korean scientists adopted a new battery recipe that eliminates the presence of lithium foil in the cell. Instead, they intercalated layers of lithium nickel-cobalt-manganese oxide (NMC) mixed with a sulfide solid electrolytes (SSE), all of which sits on top of a layer of silver-carbon nanocomposite. The homogeneous spread of lithium ions helps prevent the formation of dendrites.  

Also, rather having silica meshes in the battery recipe, their use of silver atom in the nanocomposite can convoy lithium ions more efficiently, allowing the researchers to increase the amount of cathode material and its overall energy density.

The resulted prototype cell has a high energy density of 900 Wh/L and allows for over 1,000 charging cycles. In comparison, an average smartphone has a density of around 600 Wh/L and can only be charged between 300 and 500 times.

Source: Subject Zero Science via Youtube