Improvements to the Overpotential of All-Solid-State Lithium-Ion Batteries during the Past Ten Years

After the research that shows that Li10GeP2S12 (LGPS)-type sulfide solid electrolytes can reach the high ionic conductivity at the room temperature, sulfide solid electrolytes have been intensively developed with regard to ionic conductivity and mechanical properties. As a result, an increasing volume of research has been conducted to employ all-solid-state lithium batteries in electric automobiles within the next five years. To achieve this goal, it is important to review the research over the past decade, and understand the requirements for future research necessary to realize the practical applications of all-solid-state lithium batteries. To date, research on all-solid-state lithium batteries has focused on achieving overpotential properties similar to those of conventional liquid-lithium-ion batteries by increasing the ionic conductivity of the solid electrolytes. However, the increase in the ionic conductivity should be accompanied by improvements of the electronic conductivity within the electrode to enable practical applications. This essay provides a critical overview of the recent progress and future research directions of the all-solid-state lithium batteries for practical applications

Application of Organic Solid Electrolytes

If ions are considered to be solid material which transport electric charges, polymer materials can then be considered as organic solid electrolytes. The role of these electrolytes is discussed for (1) ion concentration sensors; (2) batteries using lithium as the cathode and a charge complex of organic material and iodine in the anode; and (3) elements applying electrical double layer capability

Ceria-based materials for high-temperature electrochemistry applications

This paper describes the experimental studies of multi-component solid state electrolytes based on CeO2 and their application in intermediate temperature electrochemical devices. Two important aspects are emphasized: the effect of different dopants’ ionic radius and concentration on the electrical properties of CeO2-based solid solutions in air and the influence of combined dopants on the electrolytic properties of solid electrolytes from the standpoint of the critical oxygen partial pressure pO2 at which point the values of the electronic and ionic components of conductivity are equal. Examples of usage of the developed multi-component Ce0.8(Sm0.75Sr0.2Ba0.05)0.2O2-δ electrolyte synthesized by solid state, laser evaporation and combustion methods and composites on the base of Ce0.8(Sm0.8Sr0.2)0.2O2−d electrolyte as a component of electrochemical devices such as solid oxide fuel cell, gas sensors and as a component of the mixed ionic and electronic conducting (MIEC) membranes for hydrogen and syngas gas production are cited.The present work was financially supported by Russian Foundation for Basic Research and Government of Sverdlovsk region, grant no. 13-03-96098

Pseudo-solid-state electrolytes utilizing the ionic liquid family for rechargeable batteries

The advent of solid-state electrolytes has unearthed a new paradigm of next-generation batteries endowed with improved electrochemical properties and exceptional safety. Amongst them, Li-stuffed garnet type oxides, sulfides, and NASICON type solid-state electrolytes have emerged with fascinating ionic conductivity, electrochemical stability, and high safety standards, besides creating an avenue for using metal anodes to maximize energy density. However, the actual performance of solid-state electrolytes is heavily encumbered by unexpected metal dendrite formation and typically manifests high resistances between the metal electrodes/solid-state electrolytes or grain boundaries, thereby restricting their practical applications. Recent studies have reported several novel approaches, such as modifying solid-state electrolytes using ionic liquids to form the so-called “pseudo-solid-state electrolytes”. This class of electrolytes encompassing materials such as ionogel using ionic liquids and ionic plastic crystals has been gaining rekindled interest for their unique properties that promise great strides in battery performance and diversified utility. This minireview paper summarizes recent progress in pseudo-solid-state electrolytes utilizing ionic liquids, highlighting their fundamental properties while elaborating expedient design strategies. The realistic prospects and future challenges associated with developing pseudo-solid-state electrolyte materials present an insight into their properties to inspire far-reaching exploration into their material characteristics and functionalities

Oxygen reclamation with solid oxide electrolytes

Electrolyte operated at an elevated temperature in an electrolysis cell regenerates oxygen from metabolic carbon dioxide found in closed-cycle cabin atmospheres

Improved inorganic ion exchange membranes

New method makes solid ion exchange membrane electrolytes for use in hydrocarbon-oxygen and hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells. The membrane is a sintered composite of zirconia, phosphoric acid, and zeolite

The Latin Leaflet, Number 29

Polymer electrolytes represent the ultimate in terms of desirable properties of energy storage/conversion devices, as they can offer an all-solid-state construction, a wide variety of shapes and sizes, light-weight, low costs, high energy density and safety. Here we present our recent results concerning a novel strategy for preparing efficient polymer membranes which are successfully demonstrated as suitable electrolytes for several energy conversion and storage devices (i.e., Li- and Na-based batteries and DSSCs). Highly ionic conducting polymer electrolytes containing PEO-based functionalities and different components (e.g., Li/Na salts, RTILs, natural biosourced and cellulosic fillers) are successfully prepared via a rapid process and, directly or subsequently, cross-linked via UV irradiation (patent pending, PCT/IT2014/000008). All the prepared materials are thoroughly characterised in terms of their physical, chemical and morphological properties and tested for their electrochemical performances and durability. The UV-curing process on such materials led to the production of elastic and resistant amorphous macromolecular networks. Noticeably increased ionic conductivities are registered (10-3 S cm-1 at RT), along with very stable interfacial and storage stability and wide electrochemical stability windows. The different lab-scale solid-state devices show remarkable performances even at ambient temperature, at the level of those using liquid electrolytes, respect to which demonstrate much greater durability and safety. The obtained findings demonstrate a new, easy and low cost approach to fabricate and tailor-make polymer electrolytes with highly promising prospects for the next generation of advanced flexible energy production and storage devices

Highly conductive, ionic liquid-based polymer electrolytes

In this manuscript is reported a thermal and impedance spectroscopy investigation carried out on quaternary polymer electrolytes, to be addressed as separators for lithium solid polymer batteries, containing large amount of the N-methyl-N-propylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide ionic liquid. The target is the development of Li+ conducting membranes with enhanced ion transport even below room temperature. Polyethylene oxide and polymethyl methacrylate were selected as the polymeric hosts. A fully dry, solvent-free procedure was followed for the preparation of the polymer electrolytes, which were seen to be self-consistent and handled even upon prolonged storage periods (more than 1 year). Appealing ionic conductivities were observed especially for the PEO electrolytes, i.e., 1.6 × 10-3and 1.5 × 10-4 S cm-1 were reached at 20 and -20°C, respectively, which are ones the best, if not the best ion conduction, never detected for polymer electrolytes

Synthesis of Metal Boranes as Solid-State Electrolytes for Next Generation Battery Applications

Modifying conventional batteries by replacing liquid electrolytes with solid ionic conductors is a novel strategy for developing next-generation energy storage devices (solid-state batteries) with increased safety, energy density, and reduced costs. Metal-boranes have shown promising features as solid-state electrolytes, due to their high ionic conductivity and compatibility with alkali-metal anodes. The synthesised metal-boranes demonstrate promising properties for further research and application as solid-state electrolytes in batteries

Response behaviour of oxygen sensing solid electrolytes

The response time (t r) after a step change in oxygen partial pressure was investigated for some solid electrolytes used in Nernst type oxygen sensors. The electrolyte as well as the (porous) electrode material affect the value oft r. Stabilized Bi2O3 materials exhibit slower response rates (largert r values) than stabilized ZrO2. Introduction of Bi2O3 in stabilized ZrO2 increases the response time. Gold electrodes show a higher response rate than platinum in the oxygen partial pressure and temperature region used.\u