Overview
Improving all-solid-state batteries for electric vehicles
All-solid-state batteries promise greater energy storage density and are cheaper and safer than traditional batteries for electric vehicles. A solid-state battery uses solid electrolytes and a lithium metal anode. The EU-funded PSIONIC project aims to advance the development of all-solid-state battery technology by using amorphous cross-linked polyethylene oxide laminated on the thin lithium foil at the anode and a high voltage cathode coated with a single-ion conductive polymer. This technological advancement will help to replace liquid electrolytes that are both flammable and unstable. The project will contribute to making all-solid-state batteries safer, cheaper, and more reliable and sustainable. This will lead to a higher uptake of battery-powered electric vehicles.
The greatest challenges towards the worldwide success of battery-powered electric vehicles revolve around the safety, energy density, and cost of the battery technologies. Solid-state polymer electrolytes and lithium metal anode address these challenges by replacing the flammable and unstable liquid electrolytes and enabling dendrite-free cycling of high-energy lithium metal cells manufactured by sustainable and cost-effective processing. The PSIONIC project advances the development of all-solid-state battery technology by employing amorphous cross-linked Polyethylene oxide (PEO) laminated on the thin lithium foil at the anode and high voltage cathode coated with a single-ion conductive polymer. This will allow to replace the flammable and unstable liquid electrolytes and enabling dendrite-free cycling of high-energy lithium metal cells manufactured by sustainable processing. Special attention will be devoted to the optimization of interfaces between the active material and polymer electrolyte. Materials selection will enable the use of the manufacturing technology available at BlueSolutions, which is readily scalable, based on sustainable processing using solvent-free extrusion. PSIONIC is aiming to develop cells with a safety hazard level 2, since no liquid component will be in the cell at the end of the project.
The research and innovation actions carried under the PSIONIC project will not only just contribute to the technological advancements of all-solid-state Li-ion batteries in terms of safety, reliability, performance, cost, and sustainability, but will also enable higher uptake by the electromobility sector and end consumers, paving a pathway towards climate neutrality, and green energy transition.