Researchers from the Institute of Metal Research (IMR) at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a new polymer designed to reduce interfacial resistance in solid-state batteries, marking a step forward in the effort to commercialize the advanced energy storage technology.
The material enhances ion transport efficiency and could help overcome one of the main barriers to widespread use of solid-state lithium batteries.
The newly developed polymer serves a dual role — it conducts lithium ions while also storing energy, allowing the electrode and electrolyte to partially fuse together. This innovation significantly reduces the instability typically found at the interface of conventional solid-state batteries.
“The polymer not only improves ion conductivity but also contributes to energy storage itself, which helps stabilize the electrode-electrolyte interface,” the research team said in its statement.
Tests conducted by the IMR team showed an energy density of about 585.9 Wh/kg at the electrode level, a figure higher than that of conventional lithium-ion batteries. Depending on the cell configuration, researchers estimate that energy densities above 600 Wh/kg could be achievable. The prototype cells also demonstrated strong conductivity, stable charge-discharge performance, and the ability to withstand up to 20,000 bending cycles — indicating suitability for use in flexible electronics and portable devices.
According to Notebookcheck, previous approaches such as ceramic electrolytes offered stability but suffered from brittleness and manufacturing challenges. In contrast, the IMR team’s polymer electrolyte combines flexibility, efficiency, and molecular-level integration, positioning it as a promising candidate for future electric vehicles and next-generation mobile technologies.
Source: wiley.com, carnewschina.com