Designing composite polymer electrolytes for all-solid-state lithium batteries

Abstract Ceramic fast-ion conductors have high ionic conductivities (>10−4 S cm−1) but are difficult to process and have poor chemo/mechanical properties at the electrode/electrolyte interfaces. In contrast, polymer electrolytes are pliable and easy to process but suffer from low room-temperature ionic conductivities (≈10−6-10−7 S cm−1). Combining these two elements to form a composite polymer electrolyte is a promising way to enable all-solid-state lithium-metal batteries. The choice of ceramic filler and polymer can be tailored to provide synergistic benefits that overcome the practical shortcomings of the two components. Herein, the fundamentals of Li+ conduction through the various phases and interfaces in these materials are discussed as well as the important parameters, beyond the initial choice of polymer and ceramic filler materials that must be considered while designing composite polymer electrolytes. Emphasis is placed on the particle filler engineering and practical fabrication methods as routes toward enhancing the properties of these composites.