Solid-State Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries: Component Chemistries and Battery Architectures

Compared to traditional Li-ion batteries, solid-state batteries (SSBs) with solid electrolytes can provide increased safety, better energy and power density. Multiple startup companies are competing to develop the next-generation solid-state battery with investors from practically critical industrial sectors. What we know about SSBs has a history dating back to the 1800s when Michael Faraday discovered mass transport phenomena in Ag2S and PbF2 and with Frenkel's two basic diffusion mechanism suggestions through interstitial and vacancies. SSB, an exciting technology, however, is facing two critical bottlenecks: (a) obtaining solid electrolytes with ionic conductivities comparable to or greater than those of conventional liquid electrolytes and (b) constructing stable interfaces between the critical components of SSBs, including the solid electrolyte, the electrode, and conductive additives. This chapter discusses some basic SSB chemistries and development to bring insight into designing better solid-state LIBs that can meet ambitious energy demands.