Silicon anodes are popular due to their energy density, which is ten times better than graphite ones used today inside commercial lithium-ion batteries. However, silicon anodes have certain disadvantages, like expanding and contracting according to the battery's charge and discharge. Further, they also degrade with liquid electrolytes. Due to these challenges, all-silicon anodes have remained outside the spectrum of commercial lithium-ion batteries even though they have exceptional energy density.
Recently, a research team has created a novel type of battery that combines two major sub-fields of the battery into a single one. The team narrated that their battery uses both – an all-silicon anode and a solid-state electrolyte – resulting in a silicon all-solid-state battery. The novel development could advance the Solid State Battery Market as the evidence provided shows that the battery is safe, long-lasting, and energy-dense. Further, it has potential for a large variety of applications like electric vehicles and grid storage.
Innovative solid-state batteries detailing high-energy-density have typically depended on metallic lithium for the source of the anode. However, that results in restrictions on the battery charge rates. In addition, there also arises the need for elevated temperature (69 degrees Celsius or above) while the battery is charging. On the other hand, silicon anodes do not have these limitations, and so they facilitate quicker charge rates at room temperatures while also providing high energy densities.
In the present study, the team has showcased a laboratory-scale full cell that could deliver 500 charge and discharge cycles. Moreover, it also has 80% capacity retention at room temperature. Thus, it is undoubtedly true that research brings exciting progress within silicon anode and solid-state battery communities.
Previous works aimed to commercialize silicon alloy anode emphasized silico-graphite composites or merging nano-structured particles and polymeric binders. But the struggle with poor stability still existed. The team interchanged liquid electrolyte with solid electrolyte while simultaneously getting rid of carbon and binders from silicon anode. In this manner, they avoided associated challenges that emerged when anodes became submerged within organic electrolytes as the battery started functioning.
Further, the team also decreased interfacial contact with solid electrolytes, thereby circumventing constant capacity loss experienced with liquid-based electrolytes generally. These two moves enabled researchers to develop a battery that is low cost, high energy, and environmentally benign. With the novel battery design, the team believes that opportunities for solid-state batteries composed of alloy anodes like silicon will open up.