Shear Thickening Electrolytes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

This chapter provides a review of recent advancements in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) that utilize shear thickening electrolytes (STEs). STEs are non-Newtonian fluids that exhibit a shear thickening effect when subjected to external shock, which plays a crucial role in protecting the battery system from mechanical abuse. The unique characteristic of STEs to convert between liquid and solid phases is beneficial for the safety of the batteries under certain conditions and combines the advantages of both liquid and solid electrolytes. However, the practical application of high-performance LIBs using STEs is hindered by several challenges, including impact resistance performance, ionic conductivity, electrochemical properties, and the mechanisms involved in shear thickening behavior. Hence, this chapter covers the fundamental principles, electrochemical performance, and practical applications of these battery systems.