Advanced Solid Electrolytes Break World Record for Ionic Conductivity

Advanced Solid Electrolytes Break World Record for Ionic Conductivity

Advanced Solid Electrolytes Break World Record for Ionic Conductivity


A collaborative team led by University of Maryland Professor Yifei Mo, the Georgia Institute of Technology, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory unveiled a new approach to optimize halide solid electrolytes for solid-state lithium-ion batteries, achieving unprecedented levels of ionic conductivity.

The work, published in Nature Chemistry, presented enhanced conductivity by over two orders of magnitude through the strategic tuning of anion motions, which involved exploring the halide family of solid electrolytes, specifically developing mixed-anion variants, which achieved room-temperature conductivities up to 11 mS cm⁻¹, surpassing any previously reported values. 

Previously, electronics multinational Panasonic developed the halide solid electrolyte technology in 2018, which quickly drew attention for its wide electrochemical stability window—making it particularly suited for solid-state lithium-ion batteries. Building on this foundation, the discovery from the research team aimed to further enhance these properties, paving the way for practical, high-performance battery applications.

“This discovery provides a new pathway in the design and development of novel solid-state electrolytes,” said Mo. “High-conductivity halide solid electrolytes are poised to address some of the key challenges in the development of solid-state lithium-ion battery technology.”

To achieve these advancements, researchers combined synchrotron X-ray and neutron scattering techniques with ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, revealing that the collective motion of anions plays a crucial role in triggering the superionic transition that enables higher conductivity. By carefully tuning these anion dynamics, they were able to lower the transition temperature, achieving high conductivity at room temperature—a significant step toward practical applications in next-generation energy storage systems.

The group’s success in translating theoretical predictions into real-world applications showcases the potential of halide-based materials to transform the energy storage landscape, offering promising solutions for the rapidly growing demand for high-performance, solid-state batteries.

October 31, 2024


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