A novel surface coating approach to enable high voltage cathode materials in an all solid state lithium anode battery

The utilization of solid electrolytes, in place of their liquid counterparts, provides a pathway to enable the use of high voltage cathode materials coupled with lithium-metal anode.ĀHowever, there is an unmet need to enhance the interfacial structural stability of cathode particles and reduce charge transfer resistance at solid-solid interfaces between the electrolyte and the electrodes. Our STTR program partners at Rowan University have developed a novel technology to potentially overcome the interfacial impedance by exploiting intrinsically conducting polymers (ICPs). At NEI Corporation, working in partnership with NextGen Battery Technologies LLC, we have developed a solid electrolyte that exhibits high ionic conductivity at room temperature and is electrochemically stable beyond five volts. In addition, the team has demonstrated the use of mixed metal high voltage (up to 5V) spinel cathode materials which deliver high energy density (> NMC811). The proposed Phase I STTR program aims to bring these disparate technologies together and demonstrate that the overall impedance in a cell can be reduced drastically through the use of ICPs and integrating with the appropriate solid electrolyte. It is expected that such a novel cell architecture will lead to a high-performance All Solid-State Battery (ASSB) that operates over a wide temperature range. The Phase II program will aim to develop and demonstrate 2Ah cells, setting the stage to then commercialize the technology in Phase III and beyond.