On November 7, Chinese solid-state battery enterprise Chongqing Talent New Energy Co., Ltd. (“Talent New Energy”) collaborated with leading Chinese automotive group, Changan Automobile, to release the world’s first separator-free solid-state battery technology.
The EV battery industry is experiencing a worldwide technological contest, with solid-state batteries playing a critical role in the automotive supply chain. In recent years, battery manufacturers worldwide have made continuous efforts to increase their production capacity and technological competence, seeking to take advantageous positions in this competition. EV battery makers in Japan and Korea are also seeking new market opportunities, while their rival companies in China have been working hard to become more renown and competitive on a worldwide scale, in an ever-changing global EV battery market.
Talent New Energy was established in 2018, and has been committed to the development and industrialization of solid-state lithium batteries. Its primary R&D team has been focusing on the critical technologies of solid-state batteries since 2011. Consists of independently developed intellectual properties such as: the high lithium conductivity oxygen/polymer composite material technology, in-situ submicron film development (ISFD) technology, and interface softening technology are protected by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
An official statement from Talent New Energy has claimed that the new solid-state lithium battery cell offers a capacity of 120 Ah, and an energy density of 720 Wh/kg in April 2024. This achievement sets an industry records for lithium battery capacity and energy density.
The newly released separator-free technology can be applied to both all-solid-state and semi-solid batteries, and it is compatible with various high-energy cathode and anode materials, allowing for flexible energy density customization, higher-level battery safety innovation, and comprehensive performance.
The separator and liquid electrolyte in conventional lithium batteries are prone to thermal runaway. With groundbreaking innovative technologies, for the first time, Talent New Energy removes the separator by introducing a high-density composite solid electrolyte layer on the surface of the electrode to replace the separator and liquid electrolytes with the solid electrolyte layers. The composite solid electrolyte material independently developed by Talent New Energy has a high lithium-ion conductivity of 1.5mS/cm², as well as high mechanical strength and chemical stability. The solid electrolyte layer has low flammability limit that can withstand over 500℃, while the separator made of traditional PE or PP material will shrink between 130℃ and 160℃.
Talent New Energy’s separator-free solid-state battery technology significantly enhances the batteries safety performance. It exceeded the conventional liquid lithium batteries in terms of extrusion, high temperature, and the batteries safety during overcharge: the ratio of deformation due to extrusion can exceed 60% without catching fire or explosion; passed 200°C thermal abuse test; and the battery can be overcharged at 19V without catching fire or explosion.
The removal of separator is just the start of the journey. At the press conference, Talent New Energy proposed the 4-3-2-1 technical route to gradually remove the separator and a portion of liquid electrolytes based on the four main materials of lithium batteries. The liquid electrolytes are completely removed; and finally a new generation of lithium batteries with inherent safety in all solid states is achieved by removing the anode material. Such “subtraction” has also created a new paradigm in the industry.
Major shifts are occurring in the global battery industry as battery demand rises and technological innovation accelerates. In the future, firms with technological breakthroughs, constant innovation, and superior production capacity layout will command high commercial values. The global market for lithium batteries is expected to be greatly affected by the prevalent use of separator-free solid-state battery technology.
About Talent New Energy
Chongqing Talent New Energy Co., Ltd. is a leading Chinese energy technology company focused on the development and industrialization of new solid-state lithium batteries and key lithium electric materials. The solid-state battery technology and products developed by the company have achieved important breakthroughs in key performance indicators with significant advantages in reliability, performance, and production cost. For more information, visit https://www.ctlne.com.
About Talent New Energy
Chongqing Talent New Energy Co., Ltd. is a leading Chinese energy technology company focused on the development and industrialization of new solid-state lithium batteries and key lithium electric materials. The solid-state battery technology and products developed by the company have achieved important breakthroughs in key performance indicators with significant advantages in reliability, performance, and production cost. For more information, visit https://www.ctlne.com.
