Cathodes in solid state batteries often utilize lithium cobalt oxide (LCO), lithium iron phosphate (LFP), or nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) compounds. Each material presents unique benefits. For example, LCO provides high energy density, while LFP offers excellent safety and stability.
A solid-state battery is an electrical battery that uses a solid electrolyte for ionic conductions between the electrodes, instead of the liquid or gel polymer electrolytes found in conventional batteries. Solid-state batteries theoretically offer much higher energy density than the typical lithium-ion or lithium polymer batteries.
At a laboratory scale, solid-state batteries based on these materials are usually prepared by compression of the solid-state electrolyte on the composite cathode, either by cold-sintering or hot sintering (see section 3.3), resulting in pellet-type cells.
Understanding Key Components: Solid state batteries consist of essential parts, including solid electrolytes, anodes, cathodes, separators, and current collectors, each contributing to their overall performance and safety.
Li-ion solid-state batteries are Li-ion batteries that use solid electrolyte materials. Solid-state batteries have excellent safety efficiency, high energy density, and a wide variety of operating temperatures. Many scientists are hoping to apply this technology to the next generation of Li-ion batteries, given these advantages.
Commonly used cathode materials for lithium based solid state batteries are lithium metal oxides, as they exhibit most of the above necessary properties. Lithium cobalt oxide (LCO), which has the stoichiometric structure LiCoO 2, is a widely used lithium metal based oxide.