CNU Professor Park Chan-jin's research team (Department of Materials Science and Engineering) is gaining attention for developing technology that can commercialize next-generation batteries known as solid-state batteries.

Professor Park’s team has developed a new composite solid electrolyte with a porous structure, significantly enhancing the performance of solid-state batteries and opening up possibilities for mass production.

With the competition in solid-state battery technology intensifying, where the electrolyte of electric vehicle batteries is replaced from conventional liquid to solid, with the aim to increase battery capacity and reduce fire hazards, the achieved results are remarkable.

Solid electrolyte materials fall into three categories: sulfide-based, oxide-based, and polymer-based. The primary material for the most promising sulfide-based solid electrolyte (Li2S) is more than 200 times more expensive than the electrolyte solution used in lithium-ion batteries.

Professor Park’s team approached this challenge by combining the advantages of these materials, using various solid electrolytes in combination to compensate for each material’s respective drawbacks and increase efficiency of the electrolyte.

First, they developed a special structure of support material using oxide-based solid electrolyte materials. This support material has a porous structure with continuous and empty spaces, resembling a thicket of thorns, facilitating the efficient movement of lithium ions.

After combining this support material with lithium metal anode and nickel cathode, they injected liquid monomer solution and polymerized it to create a new composite solid electrolyte. 

This process significantly enhances the ionic conductivity of the solid electrolyte by creating multiple pathways for lithium ions to move. Moreover, it reduces interfacial resistance between the electrode and solid electrolyte, thereby improving battery efficiency.

The resulting solid-state battery demonstrates excellent performance at room temperature without the need for additional pressure, achieving a level comparable to existing lithium-ion batteries.

This research was conducted with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Research Foundation's Leading Research Center Project and Mid-career Researcher Support Program. It was published in the international materials science journal Nano-Micro Letters on January 12.