New Tri-layer Electrolyte Boosts Safety and Lifespan of Lithium-Metal Batteries
Researchers in South Korea have developed a tri-layer composite solid electrolyte that enhances the performance and safety of lithium-metal batteries.
A research team led by Mincheol Chang from Chonnam National University in South Korea has developed a tri-layer composite solid electrolyte (CSE) designed to improve the performance and safety of lithium-metal batteries (LMBs). The new electrolyte, inspired by the adhesive proteins in mussels, uses chemically active ceramic fillers and a flexible triblock copolymer to enhance ionic conductivity and mechanical strength.
The tri-layer structure consists of soft outer layers made of a PEO/LiTFSI matrix surrounding a central hard layer reinforced with PDA-coated LLZO particles and a ductile PPP polymer. This design improves Li+ ion mobility through hydrogen-bond coupling and percolating conduction pathways, while the flexible PPP polymer helps suppress lithium dendrite growth.
In experiments, the optimized CSE-30 design achieved nearly four times higher ionic conductivity than plain PEO, with a high lithium transference number of 0.81. It demonstrated over 1,000 hours of stable, dendrite-free cycling in symmetric cells and retained over 80% of its capacity after 1,000 full-cell cycles. The electrolyte also showed mechanical durability, continuing to power an LED even when folded or partially cut.
This tri-layer electrolyte represents a significant advancement in solid-state battery technology, addressing key challenges in dendrite suppression and ionic conductivity. It has potential applications in electric vehicles, wearable electronics, and grid-scale energy storage, supporting the broader push for safer and more efficient energy storage solutions.
Edited by the news editor with AI from the original report — please refer to the original source.