APPLICATIONS OF TECHNOLOGY:
- Energy storage applications, including for electric vehicles
BENEFITS:
- Higher energy density, better cycling stability, faster charging rate, longer cycle life, and improved safety compared to current lithium-ion batteries (LIBs)
- Design can be adopted into scalable fabrication processes for all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs)
BACKGROUND:
- Rapid growth of the electric vehicle (EV) market requires the development of LIBs with higher energy and power densities, better safety, and longer lifespan. To enhance energy density and overcome the safety issues of LIBs, all-solid-state batteries employing an inorganic solid-state electrolyte (SSE) have been promoted as a breakthrough technology. However, current development of all-solid-state batteries is still at an early stage due to a number of challenges related to chemical, structural, and mechanical stabilities as well as charge transport limitations in the composite cathode.
TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW:
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have designed solid-state composite cathodes (SSCs) for safe ASSBs with high energy/power densities as well as long cycle life.
The invention includes:
- halide solid electrolytes that enable chemical stability in SSCs with a lithium transition-metal oxide (LTMO) cathode active material (CAM)
- high energy SSCs with single-crystal CAM that eliminate intergranular and intragranular cracking associated with volume expansion/contraction during cycling
- Faceted single-crystal CAM that enable fast Li transport to enable high power density.
When electrochemical performance was evaluated, researchers observed that the extent of capacity loss was less severe in a single-crystal high energy cathode composite cell, indicating reduced impact of mechanical breakdown.
Ultimately, the combination of chemically stable halide solid electrolytes together with surface-optimized single-crystal cathode active material is highly desirable for stable ASSBs with high energy and high power densities.
DEVELOPMENT STAGE: Proven principle
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:
STATUS: Patent pending.
OPPORTUNITIES: Available for licensing or collaborative research.
SEE THESE OTHER BERKELEY LAB TECHNOLOGIES IN THIS FIELD:
Method for Scalable Synthesis of Single-Crystal Lithium NMC Cathode Materials 2021-067
TECHNOLOGY CATEGORIES/SUBCATEGORIES:
- Energy Storage: Solid State