Can electric cars double their efficiency with lifetimes that last several times as long as lithium-ion batteries and yet only give off around a tenth? Now, all-electric vehicles are dominated by the automobile industry. Lithium-ion technology has been in use in smartphones, notebooks and cars for about two decades. Is there possibly another way to produce electric batteries?
Solid-state batteries, on the other hand, may change this. A reason for this and many other reasons to pay attention to researching solid batteries is that it has also inspired mainstream car manufacturers such as BMW Group, Nissan and Toyota to find an even more sustainable solution in vehicles. This article will give you clarity on solid-state batteries vs lithium-ion batteries.
What are Lithium-ion Batteries?
Lithium-ion is the battery chemistry used in modern rechargeable batteries. We use lithium-ion batteries every day in appliances like our cellular telephones and electric cars.
Lithium-ion batteries are made in single cells or several connected together and within a protective circuit board. They are called batteries once a single cell or more than cells have been placed inside a device to which the circuit is connected.
Inside a lithium-ion battery you have a cathode versus an anode, separator, and electrolyte. Lithium-ion batteries operate power tools, smartphones and electric cars using a liquid electrolyte solution.
What are Solid-State Batteries?
Solid-state batteries are a type of battery that uses solid (as opposed to liquid or gaseous) material as an electrolyte: most common are ceramics and plastics, but they can also be made from either one in combination with an organic polymer. This leaves solid-state battery life as much longer and safer for a given amount of energy, as well as providing more energy density. It is in line with the hope of getting more energy stored in a smaller space. So, it is best suited for storage.
The term’ solid-state batteries’ refers to a battery that uses a solid electrolyte, so other chemistries besides lithium-ion can also be used in a solid-state configuration. This being the case, it is important to note that there are all-solid-state battery types apart from lithium-ion, and the term is only a general description of any battery which uses a solid electrolyte. It may also be applied to a number of non-lithium-ion chemistries.
Solid-State Battery vs Lithium-Ion: Unraveling the Differences
The main difference between solid-state cells and lithium-ion batteries would appear to lie in the electrolyte. Traditional lithium-ion cells use a liquid electrolyte, while solid-state cells with lithium ions have solid electrodes and an electrolyte. As a matter of fact, other battery chemistries have also been made into solid-state configurations rather than starting from scratch with an entirely new design.
Here are some of the other key differences,
| Differences | Solid-State Batteries | Lithium-ion Batteries |
| Electrolyte | Solid | Liquid |
| Energy density | High | Low |
| Self-discharge | Low | High |
| Manufacturing | Expensive and tough | Affordable and established |
| Commercial availability | Still in the early phase of production | Easily accessible |
| Safety | Low risk of thermal runaway | High risk of thermal runaway |
Here are the differences in detail:
Anatomy
A solid-state battery is composed of solid electrodes and electrolytes which means that they don’t rely on liquid media. By contrast, a lithium-ion battery has liquid electrolyte through which ions pass back and forth between its anode and cathode as the battery is discharged or charged.
Electrolyte Composition
Solid-state batteries use solid electrolytes instead of liquids, so the entire system is lighter and has higher energy density. By contrast, lithium-ion batteries use a liquid electrolyte to conduct lithium ions between the cathode and anode.
Energy Density
Solid-state batteries have a higher energy density than traditional lithium-ion counterparts. This means more energy can be stored in the same space (also saving weight for electric vehicles, a critical factor). By contrast, lithium-ion batteries use a liquid electrolyte to conduct lithium ions between the cathode and anode.
Longer Lifespan
The solid-state battery has a longer life because of its less reactive solid electrolyte. However, a lithium-ion battery will tend to break down after 500 cycles.
Safety
Since an enormous number of critical components in solid-state batteries are made of solid materials, their safety is one of their great advantages. They are less likely to cause fires than liquid lithium-ion batteries. Eliminating the lithium-ion liquid electrolyte also removes a lot of fire risk. The solid electrolyte there never becomes thermally unstable and will work for as long as it is kept within its design envelope.
Speed Game
Solid-state batteries charge in the fast lane. Owing to no liquid electrolyte, they achieve rapid ion movement between the anode and cathode. For this reason, they charge far faster than ordinary lithium-ion batteries.
Cost-Effective Solutions
Solid-state batteries are difficult and costly to produce, but some refinements might lead to cheap production. Today, traditional lithium-ion batteries still have the edge in terms of production cost. This gap could be narrowed by future research and development.
Driving the Future
In comparison to lithium batteries, solid-state batteries offer a density of energy that is higher, they can also be made much safer and everybody knows how much quicker they take to charge. However, they are unable to shake lithium batteries from their hard won lead in terms of cost and currently there is already an industrial manufacturing infrastructure established using these items.
Production Challenges
From the complexities of solid electrolyte manufacturing processes to scaling up towards higher output levels in all process equipment systems, the production of solid-state batteries presents formidable challenges. Overcoming these challenges is the key to achieving commercial success by deploying solid electrolyte technology to produce significantly safer battery energy storage solutions.
Benefits of Solid-State Batteries
However, the safety of solid-state batteries has not been confirmed because they are still far from being shipped in bulk. However, according to recent studies, it is believed that they should be less prone to thermal runaway and so less susceptible to damage from such things as overcharging or internal short circuits. But it also states that after being crushed or punctured, solid-state batteries turn out to be just as flammable as non-solid-state electronics will be because they represent a potentially transformational order of magnitude innovation, especially regarding electric vehicles.
Solid-state batteries take lithium-ion technology in a new direction. In the structure of a cell-sealed battery like lithium-metal alkylene oxide (Li/MO/Li), solid electrolytes seek to increase safety and lifetime capability as well as raise energy density.
With growing sophistication in technology, the choice between solid-state and lithium batteries becomes a key factor for freight vehicles, particularly because of renewable energy sources. Whether the goal is higher energy density, faster charging times or improved safety features when travelling, the future of energy storage lies in knowing and making the most of the particular strengths that each lithium-ion and solid-state batteries have.
