Argonne National Laboratory, U of Chicago Advance Solid-State Batteries

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago have identified a high-speed mixing process that significantly improves the energy density and cycle life of all-solid-state batteries, potentially advancing commercialization of next-generation battery technologies for transportation applications.

The research focused on improving all-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries, which are considered promising candidates for future electric transportation systems because of their lighter weight, higher energy density, and improved safety compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries.

According to the research team, rapidly mixing the solid electrolyte, cathode, and other battery materials triggered a process known as “halide segregation,” which improved lithium-ion movement across battery interfaces and substantially increased battery performance and longevity.

Researchers reported that the approach added hundreds of charge-discharge cycles to battery life while also significantly improving energy density. In some cases, the energy density exceeded theoretical limits typically associated with this class of battery chemistry. The batteries also maintained full performance after 100 charge-discharge cycles and retained more than 80 percent performance after 450 cycles.

“It’s a very simple process but with big science happening inside,” said Guiliang Xu, Argonne chemist.

Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries that rely on liquid or gel-based electrolytes, all-solid-state batteries use fully solid components. However, one of the major technical challenges limiting commercialization has involved poor interface connections between the solid electrolyte and cathode materials, restricting ion flow and reducing overall performance.

“Addressing interfaces in solid-state batteries is the key to enabling this promising system,” said Khalil Amine, an Argonne Distinguished Fellow and professor at the University of Chicago.

The research team discovered that high-speed mixing at 2,000 revolutions per minute for five hours generated heat and shear forces that triggered a mechanochemical reaction within the battery materials. This process caused lithium atoms bound to halide elements such as chlorine and bromine to migrate toward the interface between battery components, improving ion transport during operation.

Researchers also reported similar performance improvements in all-solid-state batteries using selenium and tellurium cathodes, suggesting the process could potentially improve multiple next-generation battery chemistries beyond lithium-sulfur systems.

The team used several advanced characterization techniques to observe the process at the atomic level, including cryogenic transmission electron microscopy at Argonne’s Center for Nanoscale Materials and X-ray absorption spectra mapping at the Advanced Photon Source. The findings were published in the journal Science. The research was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Transportation Technologies Office.

About Argonne National Laboratory:

Argonne National Laboratory conducts basic and applied scientific research across energy, materials science, advanced manufacturing, computing, transportation, and national security technologies. Operated for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science in collaboration with the University of Chicago, the laboratory supports research initiatives focused on addressing major scientific and industrial challenges. Argonne National Laboratory collaborates extensively with the University of Chicago on advanced scientific, energy, and materials research initiatives supporting next-generation technologies and industrial innovation. Argonne operates multiple advanced scientific user facilities, including the Advanced Photon Source and the Center for Nanoscale Materials, supporting research across battery technologies, energy systems, materials engineering, and next-generation manufacturing processes. For more information, please click here. 

Source/Photo Credit: Argonne National Laboratory

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