Between Liquid and All Solid: A Prospect on Electrolyte Future in Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electric Vehicles

Herein, three electrolyte families (liquid, polymer, and ceramic) are compared and their future perspectives in research and application are discussed. First, the transport mechanism for each family is presented, as their beneficial and taxing properties stem from the differences in these mechanisms. Following a discussion of each group, their advantages, and limitations, a clear conclusion can be drawn on the need to focus on research on solid electrolytes, which present brighter prospects in terms of significant future advances in lithium-based battery systems. Yet, in a more realistic perspective based on current work by companies such as Samsung, Solid Power, and QuantumScape, it is our understanding that the hybridization of polymer and solid electrolytes will likely dominate practical electrolyte chemistries, at least in the near future, given that the synergetic properties of the two families are larger than their single parts. Inevitably, solid-state electrolytes will dominate, mainly in electric vehicles and future lithium battery chemistries.