A new generation of lithium-ion batteries developed by a team led by Dr. Dong-Myeong Shin from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) paves the way for a workable solution. The team has discovered a series of anionic network solid electrolytes that can form an integral part of the new battery, which is safer, higher in power density and has a longer life cycle.

The findings have been published in the Chemical Engineering Journal in an article entitled "Engineered networking in a family of solvent-free single-ion conducting borate network polymer electrolytes for Li-metal battery applications."

Lithium-ion batteries have been the most commonly used batteries with their state-of-the-art energy storage technology. Currently, commercial battery technology mainly features liquid electrolytes and carbonaceous anodes, which has the drawbacks of safety issues, limited lifetime, and insufficient power density.

In liquid electrolytes, lithium cations and counter anions move in opposite directions to conduct electricity. Normally, anions move at least four times faster than lithium cations, and thus lithium cation transfer contributes only a small fraction (20%) of the overall ionic current, while excessive anions accumulate at the interface between electrode and electrolyte, causing internal short circuits and capacity fade of the battery.