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Solid inorganic and polymeric electrolytes have the potential to enable rechargeable batteries with higher energy densities, compared to current lithium-ion technology, which uses liquid electrolyte. Inorganic materials such as ceramics and glasses conduct lithium ions well, but they are brittle, which makes incorporation into a battery difficult. Polymers have the flexibility for facile use in a battery, but their transport properties tend to be inferior to inorganics. Thus, there is growing interest in composite electrolytes with inorganic and organic phases in intimate contact. This article begins with a discussion of ion transport in single-phase electrolytes. A dimensionless number (the Newman number) is presented for quantifying the efficacy of electrolytes. An effective medium framework for predicting transport properties of composite electrolytes containing only one conducting phase is then presented. The opportunities and challenges presented by composite electrolytes containing two conducting phases are addressed. Finally, the importance and status of reaction kinetics at the interfaces between solid electrolytes and electrodes are covered, using a lithium-metal electrode as an example.
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This content will become publicly available on March 1, 2026
Lithium battery electrolyte under nanoconfinement
The physical and chemical properties of electrolytes have significant impacts on battery performance. The concept of nanoconfinement has been proposed as an innovative modification strategy to address challenges related to the thermal stability, ion transport efficiency, and electrochemical stability of electrolytes. This involves confining electrolytes within nanoscale or sub-nanoscale spaces, leading to improvements in their physicochemical properties, such as increased boiling points, optimized ion migration, regulated ion concentration gradients, effective ion sieving, accelerated charge transfer, and suppressed side reactions. In this perspective article, we highlight the substantial potential of these approaches for extending the cycle life, broadening operational conditions, and enhancing the safety of lithium-based batteries. Additionally, the challenges and future research directions in this area are discussed.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2011924
- PAR ID:
- 10589225
- Publisher / Repository:
- Cell Press
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Cell Reports Physical Science
- Volume:
- 6
- Issue:
- 3
- ISSN:
- 2666-3864
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 102496
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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