Recent Progress of Electrolyte Materials for Solid-State Lithium-Oxygen (Air) Batteries

Solid-state lithium-air batteries (SSLABs) have become the focus of next-generation advanced batteries due to their safety and high energy densities. Current research on SSLABs is mainly centered on solid-state electrolytes (SSEs). Although SSEs exhibit excellent properties, such as good stability, high safety, and great mechanical strength, they also display several distinct weaknesses of low ionic conductivities, poor stabilities in air, and high interfacial impedances, which will require sustained attentions for further investigations. This review first overviews the development history of SSEs achieved in terms of Li-air batteries. Subsequently, the fundamental properties, preparation methods, merits and drawbacks of different SSEs, along with their use in SSLABs, and the optimization strategy, especially for the inorganic solid electrolytes, polymer electrolytes, and hybrid electrolytes are comprehensively summarized. Finally, the research progresses made with SSEs are outlined, and critical insights and approaches for the remaining challenges of electrolytes and commercial application of SSLABs are proposed, which include advanced characterization, combining experiments and artificial intelligence such as theoretical calculations, and constructing selective permeability membranes. It is expected that this timely review will provide researchers with an integrated, systematic, and in-depth understanding of SSEs and guidelines for future research, thus further promoting the commercial application of SSLABs. Schematic diagram of the types and examples of solid-state electrolytes used in lithium-air batteries. image