Researchers find a way to improve the stability and conductivity of solid-state electrolytes

Researchers identify a way to improve the stability and conductivity of solid-state electrolytes

South Korean researchers have created a universal design principle intended to speed up the commercialisation of solid-state batteries. The study was carried out by scientists at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), working with teams from Dongguk University, Yonsei University and Chungbuk National University.

Oxygen anchoring in solid-state electrolytes

The method centres on a strategy the authors describe as “oxygen anchoring”. Tungsten was introduced into the material to help retain oxygen within the electrolyte’s crystal structure, improving its stability when exposed to air. At the same time, the researchers re-engineered the material’s internal structure to widen the pathways used by lithium ions. As a result, ionic conductivity was 2.7 times higher than in conventional halide solid-state electrolytes.

A universal principle for battery materials

A key benefit of the development is that it is not limited to a single composition. The team demonstrated that the technique can also be used with electrolytes based on zirconium, indium, yttrium and erbium, delivering comparable results. This indicates a genuinely universal principle that could accelerate the development of new generations of safe, fast-charging batteries.

If the technology can be scaled up, it could bring mass production of solid-state batteries closer for electric vehicles, robotics and electric aircraft.