Future Power: Yonsei University Crafts High-Voltage Solid-State Batteries
- MM24 News Desk
- Nov 3
- 2 min read
Yonsei University researchers have developed a revolutionary fluoride-based solid electrolyte that enables all-solid-state batteries to operate safely beyond 5 volts, shattering a fundamental voltage barrier that has long limited energy storage technology. Led by Professor Yoon Seok Jung, the breakthrough, published in Nature Energy, combines unprecedented voltage stability with high ionic conductivity, paving the way for safer, longer-lasting, and higher-energy batteries for electric vehicles and grid storage.
For years, the quest for higher energy density has pushed battery voltages upward, but conventional solid electrolytes made from sulfides or oxides hit a wall, decomposing at around 4 volts. This ceiling has been a major bottleneck. The team’s ingenious solution was to look toward fluoride chemistry. They developed a novel fluoride solid electrolyte, LiCl–4Li2TiF6, which remains electrochemically stable at high voltages while achieving a lithium-ion conductivity of 1.7 × 10⁻⁵ S/cm at room temperature, reported Nature Energy.
This new material is more than just stable; it’s a versatile performer. The researchers applied it as a protective coating on high-voltage spinel cathodes (LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4), effectively creating a shield that suppresses destructive reactions at the cathode-electrolyte interface. The result was a battery that maintained over 75% of its capacity after 500 cycles—a key indicator of longevity. Even more impressive was the achievement of an ultrahigh areal capacity of 35.3 mAh/cm², a record-setting figure for solid-state systems that signals a high energy output from a small area.
But how does this lab achievement translate to the real world? The team demonstrated its practicality by building and testing pouch-type batteries, the same format used in modern electric vehicles and smartphones. These tests showed exceptional performance consistency, proving the technology’s viability beyond a controlled lab environment. According to Nature Energy, this adaptability is crucial for commercial adoption.
The innovation extends beyond a single material to a new design philosophy. By enabling compatibility with cost-effective, zirconium-based catholytes, this fluoride-based approach could drastically reduce manufacturing costs while simultaneously improving safety—addressing two of the biggest hurdles for solid-state batteries. “This research goes beyond a single material,” stated Professor Yoon Seok Jung. “It defines a new design rule for building safe, durable, and high-energy batteries that can truly power the future.”
This work, made available online on October 3, 2025, holds immense potential to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles with longer ranges and support large-scale renewable energy storage. By utilizing more abundant materials, the Yonsei University breakthrough is a significant leap toward the sustainable, carbon-neutral energy systems of tomorrow.
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