A research team led by Professor Yunlong Guo from the University of Michigan – Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute (UM-SJTU JI, JI hereafter) has published significant findings on solid-state battery technology in ACS Energy Letters, a transformative journal published by the American Chemical Society. The published research paper titled “Chemomechanical Pairing of Alloy Anodes and Solid-State Electrolytes” introduces an expanded chemomechanical coupling model for alloy anode-solid electrolyte systems. This model sets new pairing guidelines for alloy anodes and solid electrolytes, offering insights that could support the design of long-cycle, high-energy-density solid-state batteries.
Professor Guo and Professor Shouhang Bo from SJTU Global Institute of Future Technology are the corresponding authors of the paper first-authored by JI doctoral student Shiwei Chen. The collaborative team also includes Professor Zhen Zhou and Dr. Bin Tang from Zhengzhou University, as well as JI doctoral students Qingbo Cao and Xinyu Yu.
Diagram of the research
As society demands more sustainable transportation solutions, expectations for safer, longer-range electric vehicles continue to grow. Achieving greater range requires advances in high-energy-density batteries. Traditional lithium-ion batteries, however, are nearing their energy density limit of 360 Wh/kg, and using flammable liquid electrolytes raises safety concerns. In response, solid-state batteries featuring high-capacity alloy anodes and non-flammable solid electrolytes have shown promise due to their higher energy density (exceeding 400 Wh/kg) and enhanced safety. However, alloy anodes present stability challenges, including potential dendrite formation, which can cause battery failure.
Addressing this issue, the JI team developed a chemomechanical model that links interfacial stability between alloy anodes and solid electrolytes to their mechanical and chemical properties. Their findings established a universal pairing criterion: “hard” ceramic electrolytes should be paired with alloys of equal or greater hardness, while “soft” polymer electrolytes are best suited for softer alloys. This criterion was validated through X-ray CT imaging, which revealed morphological changes in alloy anodes after repeated charge-discharge cycles. The model also applies to sodium-based systems, aiding the design of sodium alloy anodes and advancing low-cost energy storage battery research.
