Developing practical solid-state rechargeable Li-ion batteries: Concepts, challenges, and improvement strategies

Solid-state batteries have garnered increasing interest in recent years as next-generation energy storage devices as they exhibit both superior safety, performance, and higher energy densities than those of conventional lithium-ion batteries in use today. There are, however, major challenges facing the development of solid-state batteries that are industrially scalable and low-cost for applications in the energy storage and electric vehicle sectors. In this review, we identify and discuss the major challenges facing the development of solid-state batteries, as well as the improvement strategies currently being implemented to resolve these challenges. First, we give a brief overview of the current challenges facing conventional lithium-ion batteries and the need for solidstate batteries, followed by a discussion on the types of solid-state electrolytes. Then, we address the various challenges facing the development of solid-state batteries, including interface instability between electrodes and solid-state electrolytes, dendrite growth, ionic conductivity issues as well as design issues.