Solid-State Lithium-O2 Battery Featuring Integrated Electrolyte + Cathode Structure Shows Potential

A new solid-state lithium-O2 battery featuring an integrated electrolyte + cathode structure — developed by researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology — has shown good potential, according to recent reports.

The new battery was developed with the intention of dealing with two of the primary issues facing conventional solid-state Li-air battery performance: limited 3-phase boundaries (electrode, electrolyte, O2 interfaces) and high internal resistance. The battery features considerably improved internal resistance (reduced), and an increase in triple-pause boundaries.

These were achieved via the use of a much thinner electrolyte layer than is conventionally used (around 10% the thickness of those used in conventional batteries), and a very highly porous cathode (with an increase of 78% in porosity as compared to conventional designs).

As a result, the battery outputs a discharge capacity as high as 14,200 mA h g-1carbon at 0.15 mA cm-2, and can sustain 100 cycles at a fixed capacity of 1,000 mA h g-1carbon. The novel integrated electrolyte and cathode structure represents a significant step toward the advancement of Li-O2 batteries.

The new work and findings are detailed in a new paper in the RSC journal Energy & Environmental Science.

As ever, new battery technology “breakthroughs” are a dime a dozen these days, so while certainly worth taking note of, whether or not anything actually comes out of this work with regard to the commercial sector is an open question.

On that note, here are a some of the other recent battery technology “breakthroughs” we’ve covered:

New Aqueous Lithium-Iodine Solar Flow Battery Promises Energy Savings

Samsung Dramatically Increases Battery Capacity (Nearly Doubles It)

BioSolar Claims Huge Lithium-Ion Battery Technology Breakthrough — Better Capacity, Longer Life, & Lower Costs (Reportedly)

Also recommended: Lithium-Ion Battery Costs To Keep Falling, Boosting Electric Car Sector