Safe Lithium Metal Batteries with Plate-Shaped Gamma-Alumina Separator

The advancement of technology in the field of electronics, communication, transportation and renewable energy is significantly dependent on the development of energy storage media which are reliable on the metrics of performance, economic feasibility and safety. Lithium-ion batteries have been the dominant market choice for energy storage. However, the challenges of dendrite propagation limit the operational safety and long-term cycling stability of lithium-metal batteries. Solid state electrolytes may eliminate the propagation of dendrites, but they fail to achieve high Li-ion conductivity and charge transfer rate at room temperature resulting in undesired cell performance.

 

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed an electrode coated plate-structured γ-alumina separators with liquid electrolyte for high performance, safe lithium-metal batteries. Synthesized with a novel method and applied using scalable blade-coating, these polymer-free separators maintain stable cycling performance at high charge/discharge rates by offering superior mechanical strength and controlled porosity compared to conventional polypropylene and α-alumina separators.