Researchers at MIT and the DOE’s Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a method for stabilizing the interfaces between the electrolyte and cathodes in solid-state batteries during the sintering process.

Based on research reported in Advanced Energy Materials, the team found that when temperatures are above a few hundred degrees Celsius, carbon dioxide and reactions unfold that increase resistance at the interfaces between the electrolyte and cathode. The team also found that performing sintering in a pure oxygen atmosphere devoid of carbon dioxide could create strong bonding at up to 700 degrees Celsius. The researchers say their method matches the bonding performance of the best-coated surfaces.

“We are finding that you can avoid that additional fabrication step, which is typically expensive,” said researcher and MIT Professor Bilge Yildiz. Also, the team’s calculations suggest that the cost of integrating their method into existing battery manufacturing lines would be negligible.

The team is now studying how the bonds perform over many battery cycles.

Source: MIT News