Materials Science World Congress

Batteries and Solid Electrolytes: The Future of Energy Storage

Suboptimal energy storage efficiency, safety, and lifetime have also stretched the search for solid electrolytes in batteries. The use of solids as electrolytes in batteries rather than the liquid or gel as commonly used in most batteries is referred to as solid-state batteries and has been hailed as a revolution in energy storage systems.

Another reason why solid electrolytes may have value is that they can improve the security rating of batteries. In normal lithium-ion batteries, the electrolyte is in the liquid state and that has issues with leakage, thermal runaway, and fire risks. Furthermore, solid electrolytes because of not being flammable and being more stable than liquid electrolytes minimize such dangers considerably. This makes them ideal for applications that require safety and yet have to compete on energy density with common liquid electrolytes, such as electric cars and secondary battery grid systems.

Apart from safety regular and non-regular crystallography framework solid electrolytes favor a higher energy density. The technology of solid-state batteries provides a greater density of energy in comparison with liquid-based systems. This lays the foundation for batteries that can hold their charge much longer and provide power for lengthier periods without fearful gains in size and weight. The advanced battery technologies that are poised for the enhancement benefit electric vehicles directly, smartphones, and renewable energy storage systems.

Physically solid ionic conductors including ceramics and polymer-based compounds exhibit higher thermal stability and conductivity. These properties assist in battery enhancement, and the ability to elongate battery life, in addition to enhancing overall performance. But issues persist in enhancing complementary features between the solid electrolyte and electrode of the battery, due to degradation over time.

As the research progresses through these technical challenges, SEL technology will emergently lie at the forefront of advanced next-generation batteries to provide safer, more efficient, and more sustainable energy storage systems.