Companies around the world have been investing in research and development of solid-state batteries as a potential solution for faster charging, improved performance, and enhanced safety standards. However, the high costs associated with the materials and production have been hindering large-scale adoption. In a breakthrough development, researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) have devised a low-cost solid electrolyte with promising commercial applications.
The USTC team took a novel approach to address the cost challenge faced by solid-state batteries. By developing a new sulphide solid electrolyte called LPSO, the researchers eliminated the need for expensive lithium sulphide as a raw material. Instead, LPSO is synthesized from two low-cost compounds, significantly reducing the ingredient cost to just $14.42 per kilogram. This is less than 8% of the raw material costs of other sulphide solid electrolytes currently available. Despite the reduction in cost, LPSO maintains the advantageous properties exhibited by the best-performing sulphide solid electrolytes, including acceptable anode compatibility and performance stability.
According to the team’s findings, LPSO pairs well with high-energy density anodes like lithium metal and silicon. A combination of LPSO and lithium metal in a battery demonstrated over 4,200 hours of stable cycling at room temperature. The researchers believe that there is room for further improvement in LPSO’s performance.
With the pursuit of solid-state batteries gaining momentum globally, companies like Toyota and Samsung are aiming to release their all-solid-state batteries commercially by 2027. However, China has emerged as a dominant force in the battery industry, with the Chinese government leading efforts to establish a solid-state battery supply chain by 2030. Chinese battery and car manufacturers, including CATL and BYD, have joined forces under the China All-Solid-State Battery Collaborative Innovation Platform to ensure China remains at the forefront of solid-state lithium battery technology development.
The development of a low-cost solid-state battery electrolyte by Chinese researchers not only propels China’s position in the race for next-generation battery technology but also opens doors for more affordable and widespread use of solid-state batteries in various industries.
FAQ Section:
1. What is the recent breakthrough in solid-state batteries?
The recent breakthrough in solid-state batteries is the development of a low-cost solid electrolyte called LPSO by researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC).
2. How does LPSO address the cost challenge of solid-state batteries?
LPSO is synthesized from two low-cost compounds, eliminating the need for expensive lithium sulphide as a raw material. This significantly reduces the ingredient cost of solid-state batteries.
3. What are the advantages of LPSO as a solid electrolyte?
LPSO maintains the advantageous properties exhibited by the best-performing sulphide solid electrolytes, including acceptable anode compatibility and performance stability.
4. What is the compatibility of LPSO with high-energy density anodes?
According to the researchers, LPSO pairs well with high-energy density anodes like lithium metal and silicon.
5. How long did a battery with LPSO and lithium metal demonstrate stable cycling?
A battery with LPSO and lithium metal demonstrated over 4,200 hours of stable cycling at room temperature.
6. Which companies are aiming to release all-solid-state batteries commercially by 2027?
Companies like Toyota and Samsung are aiming to release their all-solid-state batteries commercially by 2027.
7. What is China’s role in the solid-state battery industry?
China has emerged as a dominant force in the battery industry, with the Chinese government leading efforts to establish a solid-state battery supply chain by 2030. Chinese battery and car manufacturers, including CATL and BYD, are actively working on solid-state lithium battery technology development.
Key Terms:
– Solid-state batteries: Batteries that use solid electrolytes instead of liquid or gel electrolytes for improved performance, faster charging, and enhanced safety standards.
– Solid electrolyte: A solid material that conducts ions in a battery, enabling the flow of electric charge.
– LPSO: A low-cost sulphide solid electrolyte developed by researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC).
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