INS13-1036
Polymer materials for lithium metal batteries
Topic
S13. Korea-Germany Polymer Symposium 2026: “Pioneering the Future of Polymeric Materials and Bridging Innovation in Sustainable Technologies”
When and Where
Sep 30, 2026
11:35 - 12:00
Room 203
Session Chairs
Bastian E. RAPP
Presenter(s)
Andre Groeschel (University of Bayreuth)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Systems for energy storage represent one of the central challenges for the ongoing energy transition, as electrification of transport and the integration of intermittent renewable sources require batteries with higher energy density, improved safety, and lower cost. Conventional commercial lithium-ion batteries are approaching their practical energy-density limits of about 300 Wh kg-1, motivating the search for next-generation systems allowing higher energy densities. In this context, lithium metal batteries are particularly attractive due to the higher theoretical specific capacity of lithium metal (3860 mAh g-1) compared to graphite (372 mAh g-1), and its low electrochemical potential (-3.04 V vs. SHE), which enables higher cell voltages and thereby contributes to increased energy density of the cell.
However, the practical implementation of lithium metal in conventional liquid electrolyte systems remains challenging. The use of flammable organic electrolytes promotes the formation of lithium dendrites during cycling, which can lead to internal short circuits and rapid cell failure, in addition to raising significant safety concerns, particularly at elevated temperatures due to their volatility and flammability. Consequently, the development of solid-state electrolytes for solid-state-batteries (SSBs) has emerged as a promising strategy to address these limitations, as they can suppress dendrite growth, and improve overall safety by eliminating volatile liquid components.
This presentation summaries recent efforts of our group regading the templating of structured active anode materials, the design of solid polymer electrolytes, as well as the utilization of mixed ion/electron conductive polymers as binders for high-voltage cathodes.
However, the practical implementation of lithium metal in conventional liquid electrolyte systems remains challenging. The use of flammable organic electrolytes promotes the formation of lithium dendrites during cycling, which can lead to internal short circuits and rapid cell failure, in addition to raising significant safety concerns, particularly at elevated temperatures due to their volatility and flammability. Consequently, the development of solid-state electrolytes for solid-state-batteries (SSBs) has emerged as a promising strategy to address these limitations, as they can suppress dendrite growth, and improve overall safety by eliminating volatile liquid components.
This presentation summaries recent efforts of our group regading the templating of structured active anode materials, the design of solid polymer electrolytes, as well as the utilization of mixed ion/electron conductive polymers as binders for high-voltage cathodes.
