It should be possible to increase charge capacities and cycle lives.

Polymer-based composite catholyte structures have been investigated in a continuing effort to increase the charge/ discharge capacities of solid-state lithium thin-film electrochemical cells. A cell according to this concept contains the following layers (see figure):

• An anode current-collecting layer, typically made of Cu;
• An Li metal anode layer;
• A solid electrolyte layer of Li_3.3PO_3.8N_0.22 (“LiPON”) about 1 to 2 μm thick;
• The aforementioned composite catholyte layer, typically about 100 μm thick, consisting of electronically conductive nanoparticles in an Li-ion- conductive polymer matrix; and
• A metallic cathode current collector, typically made of Mo and about 0.5 μm thick.