Solid-State Lithium Batteries: Bipolar Design, Fabrication, and Electrochemistry

There are increasing demands for large-scale energy storage technologies for efficient utilization of clean and sustainable energy sources. Solid-state lithium batteries (SSLBs) based on non- or less-flammable solid electrolytes (SEs) are attracting great attention, owing to their enhanced safety in comparison to conventional Li-ion batteries. Moreover, SSLBs can provide great benefits in terms of battery performance (power and energy densities) and cost when constructed using a bipolar design. In this review, we introduce the general aspects of the bipolar battery architecture and provide a brief overview of the essential components and technologies for bipolar SSLBs: Li+-conducting SEs, composite electrodes, and bipolar plates. Furthermore, we review the recent progress in the design and construction of bipolar SSLBs with emphasis on the fabrication techniques of SEs and SSLBs and the engineering approaches to improve their electrochemical properties.