Show-Me State Times

University of Missouri researchers are exploring the potential of solid-state batteries as a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries. Assistant Professor Matthias Young, along with his team, is investigating the use of solid electrolytes instead of liquid or gel ones. This shift could mitigate the risk of fires associated with current battery technologies.

Young explained that when a solid electrolyte comes into contact with the cathode, it forms an interphase layer about 100 nanometers thick. "This layer blocks the lithium ions and electrons from moving easily, increasing resistance and hurting battery performance," he said. Understanding this issue has been a challenge for scientists over the past decade.

To address this problem, Young's team utilized four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D STEM) to study the atomic structure of batteries without disassembling them. This innovative method allowed them to identify the interphase layer as a key obstacle in improving battery performance.

Young's lab focuses on thin-films created through oxidative molecular layer deposition (oMLD). The next step involves testing whether these thin-film materials can serve as protective coatings to prevent reactions between solid electrolytes and cathode materials. "The coatings need to be thin enough to prevent reactions but not so thick that they block lithium-ion flow," Young noted.

The research was published in Advanced Energy Materials, co-authored by Nikhila C. Paranamana, Andreas Werbrouck, Amit K. Datta, and Xiaoqing He at Mizzou.

The University of Missouri's Center for Energy Innovation is dedicated to addressing energy challenges amid rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. The center aims to optimize energy production and grid security by bringing together experts from various fields such as engineering, agronomy, physics, chemistry, and public policy.