A rubber electrolyte has been developed with the potential for safer batteries

Although rubber is mainly associated with an insulator, scientists from Georgia Tech decided to prove to us that a rubber electrolyte can be used in batteries, which will perform well in its most important role, i.e. … conduction.

A rubber electrolyte based on elastomers was formed. It aims to solve the problems of liquid and solid electrolytes

While the current common liquid electrolytes have a fire or explosion hazard if the battery fails or overheats, the solid-state counterparts do not bother much. However, they have their own problems which come down to high brittleness and low level of contact between the electrodes. Both problems are now the focus of many companies and innovators, but there are also many inventors who want something completely new.

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This is how an elastomeric electrolyte was created that could contribute to the development of safer batteries for electric vehicles with a longer range. In its rubber version, it is not susceptible to shocks, maintains a tight connection with the electrodes and, most importantly, high conductivity. Of course, it is not provided by the rubber itself, and the embedded succinonitrile crystals, as we read in the article published in the journal Nature. If that were not enough, it significantly limits the development of dendrites.

In practice, scientists showed that lithium-metal cells made with the new electrolyte were able to operate at a voltage of 4.5 V at room temperature. They offered a capacity of 93 mAh g-1 and even after 1000 discharging and charging cycles did not show any decrease in it, which of course requires further improvement. However, if all goes according to the researchers’ plan and vision, this rubber electrolyte could eventually lead to safer and more durable batteries for electric vehicles.