Kennesaw State researchers use sulfur-modified solid electrolytes to improve lithium-ion movement in solid-state batteries.
Researchers at Kennesaw State University are developing a sulfur-modified solid electrolyte designed to improve lithium-ion movement in solid-state batteries , addressing one of the main technical barriers preventing the technology from wider use.
Solid-state batteries replace the flammable liquid electrolyte used in conventional lithium-ion cells with a solid material, reducing fire risks and improving thermal stability. However, lithium ions move more slowly through solid materials, limiting charging speed and overall performance.The research is led by Beibei Jiang, an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, whose team is working on a composite solid electrolyte that combines ceramic and polymer components. By modifying this composite with sulfur-based chemical groups, the researchers aim to lower resistance at material interfaces and allow lithium ions to move more efficiently.“Our goal is to replace all those flammable components, so the battery becomes much safer,” Jiang said. “By removing the liquid electrolyte and redesigning the solid materials inside the battery, we can reduce the risk of overheating, short circuits, and fires while also improving performance.”Solid-state batteries are widely viewed as a next step for electric vehicles, grid storage, and consumer electronics, but slow ion transport has remained a persistent challenge. Jiang’s team focused on improving the internal bonding between different solid materials rather than redesigning the entire battery architecture.Smoothing lithium’s pathwayThe team introduced sulfur-based chemical groups into the composite electrolyte, improving bonding between the ceramic and polymer phases. This reduced interfacial resistance, allowing lithium ions to move more freely through the solid structure.“The lithium ions are like cars on a highway,” Jiang said. “Our sulfur modification is like smoothing that highway so lithium ions can move faster, which means the battery can charge faster and perform better.”During the experiments, the researchers also identified a strong interaction between sulfur and zirconium in the ceramic portion of the electrolyte. According to the team, this interaction plays a key role in the observed performance improvements and has not been previously documented in solid-state battery research.“We are the first group proposing this strong interaction between sulfur and zirconium,” Jiang said. “We believe that this interaction is the main reason for the improved performance we are seeing.”The discovery emerged unexpectedly when students noticed a reaction occurring much faster than anticipated during early tests. Rather than discarding the result, the team investigated the cause and adjusted the process to make it controllable.“It was almost accidental,” Jiang said. “The reaction happened in just a few seconds and quickly got out of control.”From lab to cellsMost of the work is being carried out in Jiang’s laboratory on Kennesaw State’s Marietta Campus, where students synthesize materials, assemble prototype batteries, and test their performance using coin-cell designs. The project is supported by a $200,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, along with internal seed funding.“Our focus right now is to prove that this design works and that it is stable and reliable,” Jiang said. “Once we can show that, then we can think about scaling and manufacturing.”While the technology is still at an early stage, the researchers believe the materials approach could be adapted for a range of battery applications if long-term stability and manufacturability can be demonstrated.
Electric Vehicles Energy Storage Lithium-Ion Transport Materials Science Solid Electrolyte Solid-State Batteries Sulfur Modification
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