Material Derived from Trees Trunks Could Replace Liquid Electrolytes

Date:February 1, 2022

Application

• Production of safer solid-state batteries

Description

In pursuit of batteries that deliver more power and operate more safely, researchers are working to replace the liquids commonly used in today’s lithium-ion batteries with solid materials. Researchers have now developed a new material for use in solid-state batteries that’s derived from a tree.The team demonstrated a solid ion conductor that combines copper with cellulose nanofibrils — polymer tubes derived from wood. The paper-thin material has an ion conductivity that is 10 to 100 times better than other polymer ion conductors. It could be used as either a solid battery electrolyte or as an ion-conducting binder for the cathode of an all-solid-state battery.

Pathway Description:

Researchers combined copper with cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) derived from wood to create a solid ion conductor with superior conductivity, tested for performance 10 to 100 times better than other polymer ion conductors. Computer simulations revealed that copper increases spacing between cellulose chains, creating pathways for ion conduction. This material was used both as a solid-state electrolyte and as a binder for the cathode in all-solid-state batteries. The flexible, paper-thin material demonstrated improved efficiency and performance for next-generation battery designs.