Solid-State Revolution: Assessing the Potential of Solid Polymer Electrolytes in Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are crucial for achieving sustainable energy goals due to their high energy density and long cycle life. They dominate markets like consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and stationary energy storage systems. However, current LIBs use liquid electrolytes, which are toxic, flammable, and their liquid state does not resist dendrite growth, causing battery capacity decline and failure. Additionally, the limited availability of lithium and other metals makes liquid-based LIBs less sustainable. On the other hand, solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) offer a safer alternative as they are non-volatile and can resist dendrite growth. However, ion transport in solids is much more restricted than in liquids, while imperfect solid-solid interfaces contribute to interfacial resistance leading to lower ionic conductivity and increasing Ohmic losses or requiring battery operation at elevated temperatures. Chemical and mechanical degradation of these interfaces can also result in battery capacity fade, and poorer cyclic performance compared to liquid electrolytes. Understanding the ionic transport mechanisms in SPEs is critical for designing and optimizing the nanostructure of polymers and polymer/electrode interfaces to overcome these limitations. In this review, the fundamental mechanisms of ion transport in SPEs will first be explored. Various state-of-the-art approaches for addressing the key challenges in SPEs and their solutions are then discussed. Furthermore, the current status of SPEs is analyzed to determine their potential for replacing liquid electrolytes in the future.