Although rare, lithium-ion batteries can fail and cause fires or explosions as a result of thermal runaway. The A high ionically-conductive and flexible polymer composite electrolyte film was developed for lithium-ion batteries. Source: Purdue Universitythermal stability of these widely used batteries is undermined by the flammable nature of liquid electrolytes. Purdue University researchers fabricated a solid-state electrolyte material system to address such lithium-ion battery fire hazards and improve device performance.

The use of ceramic nanoparticles embedded in polymer matrixes can facilitate the inclusion of pure lithium metal anodes for a fivefold increase in volumetric capacity density. Production costs are contained by using less than 10% per weight of ceramic nanoparticles in a polymer composite electrolyte, a percentage demonstrated to exceed the ionic conductivity of thin films comprising only the ceramic material.

In addition to its use in automotive and personal electronic device batteries, the flexible polymer composite electrolyte film can also enhance safety and extend the service life of pacemakers and other medical devices.