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Yi-Cheng Deng, Hubei Key Laboratory of Electrochemical Power Sources, College of Chemistry & Molecular Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, P. R. China
Zi-Chang You, State Key Lab of High Performance Ceram and Superfine Microstructure Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, P.R. China; Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
Geng-Zhong Lin, Hubei Key Laboratory of Electrochemical Power Sources, College of Chemistry & Molecular Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, P. R. China
Guo Tang, Hubei Key Laboratory of Electrochemical Power Sources, College of Chemistry & Molecular Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, P. R. China
Jing-Hua Wu, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, P. R. China; Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
Zhi-Min Zhou, Eastern Institute for Advanced Study, Ningbo Institute of Digital Twin, Eastern Institute of Technology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of All-Solid-State Battery, Ningbo Key Laboratory of All-Solid-State Battery, Ningbo, 315200, P. R. China
Xiang-Chun Zhuang, Qingdao Industrial Energy Storage Research Institute, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 189 Songling Road, Qingdao, 266101, P. R. China
Li-Xuan Yang, Qingdao Industrial Energy Storage Research Institute, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 189 Songling Road, Qingdao, 266101, P. R. China
Zhen-Jie Zhang, Center of Energy Storage Mater. & Technology, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, National Laboratory of Solid-State Microstructures and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, P. R. China
Zhao-Yin Wen, State Key Lab of High Performance Ceram and Superfine Microstructure Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, P.R. China; Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. ChinaFollow
Xia-Yin Yao, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, P. R. China; Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. ChinaFollow
Chang-Hong Wang, Eastern Institute for Advanced Study, Ningbo Institute of Digital Twin, Eastern Institute of Technology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of All-Solid-State Battery, Ningbo Key Laboratory of All-Solid-State Battery, Ningbo, 315200, P. R. ChinaFollow
Qian Zhou, Qingdao Industrial Energy Storage Research Institute, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 189 Songling Road, Qingdao, 266101, P. R. ChinaFollow
Guang-Lei Cui, Qingdao Industrial Energy Storage Research Institute, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 189 Songling Road, Qingdao, 266101, P. R. ChinaFollow
Ping He, Center of Energy Storage Mater. & Technology, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, National Laboratory of Solid-State Microstructures and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, P. R. ChinaFollow
Hui Li, State Key Laboratory of New Textile Materials and Advanced Processing, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, Hubei, P. R. ChinaFollow
Xin-Ping Ai, Hubei Key Laboratory of Electrochemical Power Sources, College of Chemistry & Molecular Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, P. R. ChinaFollow

Corresponding Author

Zhao-Yin Wen (zywen@mail.sic.ac.cn);
Xia-Yin Yao (yaoxy@nimte.ac.cn);
Chang-Hong Wang (cwang@eitech.edu.cn);
Qian Zhou (zhouqian3@qibebt.ac.cn);
Guang-Lei Cui (cuigl@qibebt.ac.cn);
Ping He (pinghe@nju.edu.cn);
Hui Li (lih@whu.edu.cn);
Xin-Ping Ai (xpai@whu.edu.cn)

Abstract

With the widespread adoption of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), safety concerns associated with flammable organic electrolytes have become increasingly critical. Solid-state lithium batteries (SSLBs), with enhanced safety and higher energy density potential, are regarded as a promising next-generation energy storage technology. However, the practical application of solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) remains hindered by several challenges, including low Li+ ion conductivity, poor interfacial compatibility with electrodes, unfavorable mechanical properties and difficulties in scalable manufacturing. This review systematically examines recent progress in SSEs, including inorganic types (oxides, sulfides, halides), organic types (polymers, plastic crystals, poly(ionic liquids) (PILs)), and the emerging class of soft solid-state electrolytes (S3Es), especially those based on “rigid-flexible synergy” composites and “Li+-desolvation” mechanism using porous frameworks. Critical assessment reveals that single-component SSEs face inherent limitations that are difficult to be fully overcome through compositional and structural modification alone. In contrast, S3Es integrate the strength of complementary components to achieve a balanced and synergic enhancement in electrochemical properties (e.g., ionic conductivity and stability window), mechanical integrity, and processability, showing great promise as next-generation SSEs. Furthermore, the application-oriented challenges and emerging trends in S3E research are outlined, aiming to provide strategic insights into future development of high-performance SSEs.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

Solid-state electrolytes, Solid-state batteries, Soft solid-state electrolytes, Lithium-ion conductivity, Interface compatibility

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Publication Date

2025-10-28

Online Available Date

2025-09-22

Revised Date

2025-09-10

Received Date

2025-08-07

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