In Situ Hybrid Solid-State Electrolytes for Lithium Battery Applications

• Published in: ACS applied polymer materials
• Main Authors: Stankiewicz, Natalia, Criado-Gonzalez, Miryam, Olmedo-Martínez, Jorge L., Matxinandiarena, Eider, López-Aranguren, Pedro, Bonilla, Francisco, Accardo, Grazia, Saurel, Damien, Devaux, Didier, Villaluenga, Irune
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Chemical Society 25.04.2024
• Subjects: Chemical Sciences; Material chemistry
• ISSN: 2637-6105; 2637-6105
• DOI: 10.1021/acsapm.4c00473

The translation of inorganic–polymer hybrid battery materials from laboratory-scale to industry-relevant battery manufacturing processes is difficult due to their complexity, scalability, and cost and the limited fundamental knowledge that is available. Herein, we introduce a unique and compelling approach for the preparation of hybrid solid electrolytes based on an in situ synthesized halide electrolyte (Li3InCl6) in the presence of a non-conducting polymer (styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene block copolymer). This innovative in situ approach delivers flexible self-standing membranes with good ionic conductivity (0.7 × 10–4 S/cm at 30 °C) and low activation energy (0.25 eV). This study suggests that the total conductivity is dominated by the inorganic–polymer interfaces and the microstructure of the hybrids affects the energy barriers to ion transport. This work opens a promising sustainable and cost-efficient route that can be easily implemented in current battery manufacturing lines.