Semi-Solid State Battery Cell Buying Guide

A semi-solid-state battery is a lithium-ion battery that uses a hybrid solid-liquid electrolyte, typically containing 5%-10% liquid electrolyte and the remainder solid electrolyte. It represents a transitional technology from traditional liquid lithium-ion batteries to all-solid-state batteries, offering high safety, high energy density (typically exceeding 270Wh/kg), and long cycle life, and has been applied in new energy vehicles, energy storage, and consumer electronics.

Key features of semi-solid-state batteries:

Structure and principle: Micro- and nano-scale solid electrolytes (usually oxides or polymers) are mixed into the positive and negative electrode materials, while a small portion of liquid electrolyte is retained to ensure ion transport speed and interfacial contact.

Higher safety: Compared to pure liquid batteries, it is less flammable, more resistant to compression and vibration, and effectively suppresses lithium dendrite growth.

Increased energy density: It can be used with high-specific-capacity positive and negative electrode materials (such as silicon-carbon anodes), achieving an energy density approximately 30%-50% higher than traditional lithium-ion batteries.

Temperature adaptability: It can operate efficiently over a wider temperature range (such as -30℃).

Mature Industrialization: Compared to all-solid-state batteries, semi-solid-state batteries are compatible with existing lithium battery production equipment, making mass production easier and reducing costs.

Major manufacturers of semi-solid-state batteries (solid-liquid hybrid cells) include WeLion New Energy, Ganfeng Lithium, Qingtao Energy, ProLogium Technology, Guoxuan High-Tech, Farasis Energy, and CATL. These companies mostly use the oxide battery route, and their products have achieved small-batch mass production and vehicle installation (such as for NIO, Zhiji, and Aion). Their main advantages are high energy density (300-400Wh/kg+) and enhanced safety.

Core Semi-Solid-State Battery Cell Manufacturers:

WeLion New Energy: Works closely with NIO, leading in in-situ solid-state technology, providing high-energy-density cells of over 360Wh/kg, achieving a range of 1000 kilometers.

Ganfeng Lithium: Focuses on solid-state battery R&D, with cells already installed in models such as the Dongfeng E70, possessing strong industrialization capabilities.

Qingtao Energy: Deeply collaborates with SAIC Motor, focusing on oxide solid-state battery technology. Multiple products with energy densities exceeding 400Wh/kg are in the planning or production stages.

ProLogium: A pioneer in pouch-type solid-state batteries, collaborating with domestic and international companies such as Mercedes-Benz and Vinfast, specializing in high-safety solid-state pouch cells.

Gotion High-tech: Has released a 360Wh/kg semi-solid-state cell using solid-liquid hybrid technology, covering prismatic, cylindrical, and pouch cells.

Farasis: Actively promoting semi-solid-state technology R&D, with mature experience in the industrialization of power batteries.

Other important players: CATL, Zhongchuang Xinhang, SVOLT Energy, Zhuhai Guanyu, Shenzhen Shibao, and Penghui Energy are also accelerating their technology deployment.

Upstream and downstream industry chain support: With the development of semi-solid-state batteries, related suppliers have emerged in the material sector. For example: Cathode materials: Ronbay Technology and Dangsheng Technology supply high-nickel solid electrolyte materials to Weilan New Energy and Qingtao Energy. Separator: Enjie and Weilan have established a joint venture dedicated to the research and development of solid-state battery coating separators.

Electrolyte: Ruitai New Materials is involved in the supply of solid-state electrolytes or additives.

The main criteria for judging a semi-solid-state battery cell are its liquid content (approximately 5%-10%), high energy density, high safety (non-flammable under needle penetration), and special structure. A key characteristic is that the electrolyte combines solid and liquid states, resulting in a higher safety factor compared to traditional lithium batteries, as well as a smaller volume and higher energy density for the same weight.

Specific judgment methods are as follows:

Examine the structure and materials: Semi-solid-state cells typically use polymers or oxides as the solid electrolyte, while retaining a small amount of liquid electrolyte to ensure ion transport. This can be determined by disassembling and analyzing whether the liquid mass percentage is below 10%.

Physical safety testing: True semi-solid-state batteries exhibit significant stability and high safety in needle penetration and impact tests, unlike liquid batteries which may experience violent combustion or explosion.

Performance characteristics:

High energy density: Compared to traditional liquid batteries, they are noticeably lighter and thinner with higher capacity (suitable for long-range devices). High Temperature Resistance: At high temperatures, the presence of a solid electrolyte provides better thermal stability.

Electrolyte Content Check: After disassembly, due to the low liquid content, there will be no significant overflow of fluid electrolyte; it will mostly appear as a moist, jelly-like or semi-dry state.

Certificate Verification: Check the cell specifications to ensure it clearly states the use of a solid electrolyte or belongs to a "semi-solid" technology route.

Is a Semi-Solid Battery Cell Always an Aluminum Mold?

Aluminum molds are not necessarily used for semi-solid battery cells. An aluminum mold is just one type of packaging. Semi-solid batteries are primarily classified according to their electrolyte form (solid-liquid mixture). Their packaging can use aluminum molds (square/cylindrical) or aluminum-plastic film (pouch). The focus is on the internal technology, not the outer casing material.

Key Points:

Diverse Packaging Forms: Semi-solid cell packaging forms include pouch (aluminum-plastic film), square aluminum shell, and cylindrical steel/aluminum shell.

Pouch is a Common Choice: To balance lightweight design and high energy density, many semi-solid technologies use pouch packaging instead of a rigid shell. Advantages of Aluminum Casing: Aluminum casings (usually aluminum alloys) are commonly used in high-power fast-charging batteries due to their high strength and good heat dissipation.

Core Technology: The core of semi-solid-state batteries lies in the use of solid electrolytes and the reduction of liquid electrolytes, regardless of whether the outer casing is aluminum, steel, or plastic.

Leading Large-Scale Lithium Battery Manufacturers:

For example, Guoxuan High-Tech, a company specializing in the R&D, production, and sales of lithium-ion batteries and power systems. Its semi-solid-state lithium battery products excel in energy density, cycle life, and safety, and are widely used in new energy vehicles, energy storage systems, and other fields.

EVE Energy, a high-tech enterprise specializing in the R&D, production, and sales of lithium-ion batteries and power systems. Its semi-solid-state lithium battery products have significant advantages in high-rate discharge, fast-charging performance, and safety, and are widely used in consumer electronics, industrial equipment, and other fields.

GBE Battery, a company providing military-grade semi-solid-state batteries, whose main products cover multiple fields including two-wheeled vehicles, forklifts, port stackers, communications, rail transportation, agriculture, home energy storage, and drones.