Embracing disorder in solid-state batteries

Description Enhanced ion transport is achieved by chemically induced structural distortion Batteries have become indispensable devices of modern society (1). Lithiumion batteries are the most utilized electrochemical storage technology, but they have several challenges, including sustainability of material production, high cost per kilowatt-hour, and flammability of the organic liquid electrolyte (2). Solid electrolytes that can replace the liquid electrolyte are now being designed. The key target when designing a solid electrolyte is high ionic conductivity. All-solid-state batteries that have a solid electrolyte that electronically separates both electrodes and is mixed into the cathode composite for better interfacial contact may offer high energy density and power density, allowing for fast charging and improved safety (3, 4). On page 1320 of this issue, Zeng et al. (5) report that intentionally introducing chemical disorder to inorganic solid electrolytes can increase ionic conductivity by orders of magnitude, which in turn reduces the overall battery-cell resistance, leading to enhanced performance.