Major Breakthrough in Solid-State Lithium Battery Research by Chinese Scientists

Exciting Developments! A significant breakthrough has just been announced!

In relation to all-solid-state lithium batteries, Chinese scientists have made a remarkable advancement. According to the latest reports, a team led by Professor Zhang Qiang from Tsinghua University’s Department of Chemical Engineering has achieved important progress in the research of polymer electrolytes for lithium batteries. The team has successfully developed a new type of fluorinated polyether electrolyte, which is expected to provide essential technical references for the development of mature solid-state battery products.

Additionally, the research group led by Yang Peihua from Wuhan University’s School of Integrated Circuits has proposed a novel approach to developing safe, high-energy density solid-state batteries by constructing a new type of cation-anionic polymer electrolyte.

Solid-state batteries, known for their high energy density and safety, are becoming crucial in addressing the challenges of range, charging, and safety in new energy vehicles. Brokerage firms believe that with the release of policy benefits, the upgrade in market demand, and continuous technological iterations, the global solid-state battery industry has progressed from laboratory research to a critical phase of commercialization.

Major Breakthrough

On September 27, according to Science and Technology Daily, the research team led by Professor Zhang Qiang at Tsinghua University has made significant advancements in polymer electrolytes for lithium batteries, providing new ideas and technical support for the development of practical high-safety, high-energy density solid-state lithium batteries. Their research, titled Tailoring polymer electrolyte solvation for 600 Wh kg−1 lithium batteries, was published online in Nature on September 24.

The team has successfully developed a novel fluorinated polyether electrolyte that enhances the physical contact and ionic conductivity at the solid-state interface through a thermally initiated in-situ polymerization technique. Currently, solid-state batteries face two major challenges in practical applications: the poor interface contact caused by rigid contact between solid-solid materials, and the difficulty of the electrolyte to simultaneously adapt to the extreme chemical environments of high-voltage cathodes and strongly reducing anodes across a wide voltage window.

In response, Zhang Qiang’s team has introduced a new design strategy termed “anion-rich solvent structure,” successfully developing a new type of fluorinated polyether electrolyte. This electrolyte significantly enhances the high-pressure performance and interface stability of lithium batteries, thanks to improved interface properties. A polymer battery assembled with this electrolyte, featuring a capacity of 8.96Ah, demonstrates a remarkable energy density of 604Wh/kg under an external pressure of 1MPa, far exceeding current commercial batteries. Furthermore, this battery successfully passed safety tests, including puncture and exposure to a 120°C thermal chamber for six hours without any incidents of combustion or explosion.

Looking ahead, these research findings are expected to provide vital technical references for the development of mature solid-state battery products.

Moreover, Wuhan University recently announced that Yang Peihua’s research group has made progress in the field of polymer solid-state batteries. They have innovatively constructed a cation-anionic polymer electrolyte, achieving breakthroughs through in-situ polymerization of ionic liquids and zwitterionic monomers. The cationic groups anchor TFSI anions to enhance lithium ion mobility, while the sulfonate groups promote lithium salt dissociation and enhance transport, perfectly balancing high migration numbers with high conductivity. This battery exhibits excellent electrochemical stability and has successfully powered a drone, providing a new pathway for the development of safe, high-energy density solid-state batteries.

Impact

All-solid-state batteries are hailed as a technology for the “next generation energy revolution,” fundamentally eliminating risks such as leakage and fire associated with traditional lithium batteries, thus significantly enhancing safety. The 2025 Solid-State Battery Quality Development Blue Book indicates that the current industrialization of solid-state batteries has entered a “sprint phase,” with global shipments expected to reach 614.1GWh by 2030, corresponding to a market size in the hundreds of billions.

At the policy level, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the State Administration for Market Regulation recently issued the Stabilization Action Plan for the Electronic Information Manufacturing Industry 2025-2026, which emphasizes continuous support for fundamental research in cutting-edge technology areas like solid-state batteries through national key research and development plans. Furthermore, the High-Quality Development Action Plan for New Energy Storage Manufacturing Industry also identifies solid-state batteries as a key focus area, supporting the transition of lithium and sodium batteries to solid-state forms, with a goal of establishing 3 to 5 global leading enterprises by 2027.

On the industry front, several automobile manufacturers have announced timelines for the mass production of solid-state batteries. BYD plans to launch large-scale demonstrations of all-solid-state batteries around 2027, while First Automotive Works (FAW) aims to achieve small-scale applications of its solid-state battery project by that year. Changan Automobile, SAIC Motor, and Chery Automobile have also indicated plans for the mass production or vehicle validation of solid-state batteries between 2026 and 2027. This suggests that 2027 will be a pivotal year for the mass production of solid-state batteries.

Dongwu Securities reports that the development of the solid-state battery supply chain has exceeded expectations in recent months, with BYD, Guoxuan Hi-Tech, and FAW having already rolled out automotive-grade battery cells six months ahead of schedule. According to a research report from CITIC Securities, solid-state batteries, as the next generation of high-performance battery technology, are rapidly transitioning from the laboratory to commercialization, driven by significant advantages in energy density and safety. With the release of policy benefits, the upgrade in market demand, and ongoing technological iterations, the global solid-state battery industry is moving into a critical phase of commercialization.

China is providing substantial policy support for solid-state batteries, and with the gradual improvement of industry technical standards, small-scale production of all-solid-state batteries is expected around 2027. According to Guosen Securities, global demand for solid-state batteries is projected to reach 16.4GWh by 2025, primarily for semi-solid-state batteries, corresponding to a market space of 14.4 billion yuan. By 2030, global demand for solid-state batteries is anticipated to reach 270.8GWh, with a market space of 218 billion yuan, of which the all-solid-state battery market space will be 113.8 billion yuan.