The key problem of lithium battery is solved 1000 times of charge and discharge without attenuation

Due to the characteristics of high storage energy density, long service life and small size, lithium batteries have been widely used in electronic products and electric vehicles. Now, the use of lithium metal anodes has become one of the most promising technologies to replace conventional lithium batteries.

According to foreign media reports, scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the United States published a new study in the journal Nature, showing that they have developed a rubber electrolyte to make lithium metal batteries more durable and safer.

Compared with the lithium dendrites formed during the reduction of lithium ions in traditional lithium batteries, solid-state electrolytes are one of the key technologies for the safe operation of lithium metal batteries, which can effectively suppress the appearance of lithium dendrites.

However, the current mechanical and electrochemical properties of solid-state electrolytes cannot meet the requirements for practical applications of lithium metal batteries. The rubber electrolyte developed by researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology effectively overcomes these two difficulties.

The researchers said that the rubber material electrolyte can not only suppress bulges inside the battery due to its elasticity, but also maintain a smooth connection with the electrodes. This keeps it highly conductive and prevents the formation of lithium dendrites.

Second, to make the rubber material conductive, the researchers embedded a conductive plastic crystal called succinonitrile and held it in place with a three-dimensional interconnect structure that gave the electrolyte shape and stability.

In tests, the lithium metal battery made with the new electrolyte was able to operate at a voltage of 4.5 V at room temperature, with no lithium dendrites generated after 100 cycles of charge and discharge, and almost no capacity fading during 1,000 cycles of charge and discharge.

The researchers say the material has room for further improvement. Currently, the research team is investigating ways to improve cycle time and ionic conductivity. By increasing the specific energy and energy density of these batteries, it is possible to increase the driving range of electric vehicles while maintaining safety.