In Situ Polymerization on a 3D Ceramic Framework of Composite Solid Electrolytes for Room-Temperature Solid-State...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Solid-State Batteries

Background:

• Solid-state batteries (SSBs) offer high energy density but suffer from low ionic conductivity and poor interfacial compatibility.
• Current limitations hinder the widespread application of SSBs in next-generation energy storage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel composite solid electrolytes (CSEs) for improved ionic conductivity and electrode-electrolyte interface in SSBs.
• To address the limitations of traditional solid electrolytes for advanced battery applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of in situ CSEs by infusing vinyl ethylene carbonate monomer into a 3D ceramic framework.
• Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) analysis to study ion transport pathways.
• Density functional theory (DFT) calculations to investigate Li+ transport mechanisms and activation energy.

Main Results:

• CSEs exhibit integrated inorganic, polymer, and interphase pathways that accelerate ion transportation.
• In situ polymerization within the cathode structure forms an excellent ionic conductor network.
• Demonstrated successful application in both solid-state lithium and sodium batteries with enhanced performance.

Conclusions:

• The novel CSE design significantly improves ionic conductivity and interfacial stability in SSBs.
• This strategy provides a new approach for designing fast ion-conducting electrolytes for high-energy solid-state batteries.
• Achieved excellent cycling stability and capacity retention in both Li-ion and Na-ion SSB configurations.