What is an all-solid lithium battery? What is the difference with other lithium batteries?

Conventional lithium-ion batteries use organic liquid electrolytes. In the case of abnormalities such as overcharging and internal short-circuiting, the battery is prone to heat, causing the electrolyte to swell, spontaneously ignite or even explode, posing serious safety hazards. The all-solid-state lithium battery based on solid electrolyte developed in the 1950s, due to the use of solid electrolytes, does not contain flammable and volatile components, completely eliminates the safety hazards of batteries such as smoke and fire caused by liquid leakage. It's called the safest battery system.

For energy density, the governments of China, the United States and Japan hope to develop prototype devices of 400-500Wh/kg in 2020 and mass production in 2025-2030. To achieve this goal, the most recognized one is currently the use of lithium metal anodes. Metal lithium has dendrites, powders, SEI (solid electrolyte interface film) instability. The compatibility of solid electrolytes with lithium metal makes it possible to use lithium as a negative electrode, which can significantly increase the energy density.

From the point of view of the time node, the all-solid metal lithium battery is earlier than the liquid lithium ion battery, but in the early stage, the electrochemical performance, safety and engineering manufacturing of the all-solid metal lithium battery have not been able to meet the application requirements.

Liquid lithium-ion batteries have been continuously improved, and comprehensive technical indicators have gradually met the needs of consumer electronics market applications, and have been accepted by more markets.

From the perspective of technology development, compared with liquid lithium-ion batteries, all-solid metal lithium batteries may have the advantages of good safety performance, high energy density and long cycle life.

In recent years, solid electrolyte materials, especially sulfide electrolyte materials have made major breakthroughs in ionic conductivity. So all-solid-state lithium battery technology has gradually begun to attract the attention of R&D institutions and large enterprises worldwide.

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