New Solid Electrolytes and "All-Solid-State" Lithium Batteries

在60年代后期，进行了大量研究以寻找具有作为可再充电电池中的电解质的潜在用途的Li+离子传导固体。随着有机或聚合物电解质中电导率的重要改善，陶瓷的研究较少。然而，随着锂硫、锂空气或“全固态”电池等新系统的发展，必须发现新的固体离子导体，以克服这些技术的一些局限性。由于化学不相容性，特别是当涉及Li金属时，需要使用高导电膜来物理分离电池的两侧（正极和负极）。该计划旨在研究新的Li+离子固体电解质，从合成到完整的表征，并考虑将其整合到“全固态”锂电池的开发中。这一研究领域被美国能源部的高级研究项目“可再生能源”认定为主要优先事项之一，该项目在过去3年中批准了多个相关项目。虽然大多数研究都考虑改进现有材料，但该研究计划将重点关注通过不同的原始方法研究新材料，这些方法已被证明在许多领域有效，但尚未用于电池材料。一些最有前途的固体电解质将被考虑集成到“全固态”锂离子电池中。与使用液体电解质的标准锂离子技术相比，该技术具有很大的优势，特别是在安全问题上。该计划解决了该技术的主要剩余挑战，旨在开发复合电极，这是具有定制机械，电气和电化学特性的多功能材料。将这些特性与高能量密度和长循环寿命相结合，需要研究电极配方、加工以及操作时的界面演变。*该研究计划涉及多学科的考虑，它植根于基本的理解，这将使开发改进的材料和设备。该计划的目标是获得基础知识，这将为开发下一代电池提供重要突破。

In the late 60's, a vast study was undertaken in search of Li+ ion conducting solids with potential use as electrolytes in rechargeable batteries. With the important conductivity improvements obtained in organic or polymer electrolytes, ceramics were then less investigated. However, with today's development of new systems like Li sulphur, Li-air or "all-solid-state" batteries, the discovery of new solid ionic conductors are mandatory to overpass some limitations of these technologies. The use of highly conductive membranes is necessary to physically separate the two sides of the cell (positive and negative electrode) due to chemical incompatibilities, especially when Li metal is involved. The proposed program aims to investigate new Li+ ion solid electrolytes, going from the synthesis to their complete characterization, and to consider their integration in the development of "all-solid-state" lithium batteries. This research area is recognized as one of the major priorities by the US DOE's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, which granted several related projects these last 3 years. While most of the investigations consider improvements of already existing materials, this research program will focus on the research of new materials by different original methodologies, which have proved to be effective in many fields but not yet for battery materials.***Some of the most promising solid electrolytes will then be considered to be integrated in "all-solid-state" Li-ion batteries. This technology presents great advantages in comparison to standard Li-ion technology using liquid electrolyte, especially regarding safety issues. The principal remaining challenge of this technology is addressed in this program and aims in developing composite electrodes, which are multi-functional materials with tailored mechanical, electrical and electrochemical properties. Combining these properties with high energy densities and long cycle life require investigating the electrode formulation, the processing as well as the interface evolution upon operation.***This research program involves multi-disciplinary consideration and it is rooted in basic understanding which will enable developing improved materials and devices. The targeted aspects of this program are to acquire basic knowledge, which will offer important breakthroughs to develop the next-generation batteries.