Revolutionary tech advances in all-solid-state battery technology

TLDR:

– A research team from POSTECH and POSCO N.EX.T Hub has successfully enhanced the performance and durability of all-solid-state batteries through a novel approach known as bottom electrodeposition
– This breakthrough in battery technology addresses the safety concerns associated with liquid electrolytes by utilizing solid electrolytes and lithium metal

In a recent study published in the journal Small, a collaboration between researchers from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) and POSCO N.EX.T Hub has led to a significant breakthrough in all-solid-state battery technology. The team, consisting of Professor Soojin Park, PhD candidate Sangyeop Lee, Dr. Sungjin Cho, Master’s student Hyunbeen Choi, Dr. Jin Hong Kim, and Dr. Hongyeul Bae, has successfully improved the performance and durability of these batteries through a novel approach called bottom electrodeposition.

All-solid-state batteries offer a safer alternative to traditional secondary batteries that rely on liquid electrolytes, which are flammable and pose a risk of fires. By utilizing solid electrolytes and lithium metal, these batteries can be used in various applications such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems.

The research team focused on addressing the challenge of indiscriminate electrodeposition of lithium, which can lead to reduced battery performance and durability. They developed an anode protection layer composed of a functional binder for all-solid-state batteries, which promotes a process of ‘bottom electrodeposition’ ensuring uniform deposition of lithium from the bottom of the anode surface.

With the development of stable electrodeposition and detachment of lithium ions confirmed through analysis, the team demonstrated that all-solid-state batteries with lithium metal as thin as 10 micrometers or less could maintain stable electrochemical performance over extended periods. The collaboration between POSTECH and POSCO N.EX.T Hub has paved the way for the commercialization of lithium metal anodes, a core material for the next generation of secondary batteries.

Professor Soojin Park, who led the research, expressed the team’s commitment to further enhancing battery life and increasing energy density through ongoing research. This breakthrough in all-solid-state battery technology marks a significant advancement in the field of energy storage and paves the way for safer and more efficient battery solutions in the future.