Solid-state batteries, replacing conventional liquid organic electrolytes with solid electrolytes, are attracting increasing attention. Demand for high-capacity batteries in applications including electric vehicles (EV) and stationary use is soaring, and solid-state batteries are emerging as a candidate offering both safety and long service life. Solid electrolyte is becoming more important in next-generation batteries as well, as the search for higher capacity continues. The solid electrolytes available today, though, still have a number of problems.
"We finally managed to confirm that battery function is possible with solid materials," says Ryoji Kanno, Professor, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology of Japan.
The all-solid state battery, next-generation high-capacity batteries using solid electrolyte, are getting a lot of press recently. Hopes are rising that they will be able to provide both safety and longer service life thanks while simultaneously boosting energy density (Fig.1).
Conventional Li-ion rechargeable batteries using organic liquid electrolytes posed a danger of ignition or even explosion because overcharging, internal shorts and other problems could cause electrolyte heating. Solid-state batteries using solid electrolyte, however, offer significantly better safety. In the ideal state, says theory, they should even achieve higher output than liquid designs, because the Li diffusion speed (ion conductivity) is higher in the solid.
The fundamental concepts of batteries, including manufacturing methods, may change dramatically with solid-state batteries. Liquid doesn't have to be sealed inside so the external can be simplified, making it possible to churn out large-scale cells on a roll-to-roll line. Multiple electrode layers can be used, and connected in series inside the cell to output 12V or 24V, for example. It will mean a whole new range of battery possibilities.
A number of sources at conferences in the battery industry agree that the number of papers on solid-state batteries has been rising steadily. One of the most interested parties is Toyota Motor Corp. of Japan. Aiming to utilize the batteries in its vehicles in the future, Toyota Motor has presented a growing number of papers in the field in the last few years.
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