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Batteries must be powerful, safe, and sustainable — at the same time, they must be cost-effective to produce. At InterBattery 2026 in Seoul, Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP will present new materials for next-generation batteries. The focus will be on tailor-made polymer electrolytes, membranes and separators, bio-based carbon materials and high-performance catalysts — developed for industrial applications along the entire value chain.
Materials determine performance and safety
Whether in electric vehicles, stationary energy storage systems, or portable electronics, the energy density, fast-charging capability, service life, and safety of a battery are largely determined by its materials. Researchers at Fraunhofer IAP in Potsdam Science Park are developing tailor-made new battery materials and pooling their expertise in polymer chemistry, membrane and separator processing, the development of bio-based and tailor-made carbon materials, catalyst production, and scale-up. “The goal is an integrated materials platform — from synthesis and scale-up to prototype production and characterization. We support companies from the initial idea to the transition to larger scales,” says Dr. Benjamin Heyne, head of the department Energy Materials at Fraunhofer IAP.
Solid electrolytes as an alternative
Conventional batteries are predominantly based on liquid electrolytes, which pose safety risks if damaged and are limited in their temperature range. Fraunhofer IAP is therefore devising solid polymer electrolytes. These enable efficient ion transport, are mechanically stable, non-volatile, and offer improved thermal properties. Some of the systems developed already achieve high ionic conductivities of >10-4 S/cm at room temperature. Mechanical, thermal, and electrochemical properties can be precisely adjusted through targeted molecular modification. The materials are compatible with various battery systems, including sodium-ion, zinc-air-, and lithium-ion batteries. In addition to pure polymer electrolytes, polymer composite electrolytes are also being created, combining organic and inorganic components. This allows further optimization of conductivity, stability, and safety.
Polymer composite cathodes are also being developed. This involves combining a cathode material, such as sodium vanadium phosphate (NVP), with the polymer matrix. Since the same polymer matrix is used as in the polymer electrolyte, interface resistances between the cathode and the solid polymer electrolyte can be avoided. Both layers bond better and, in the ideal case, can even be covalently linked to each other.
PFAS-free membranes and separators
Membranes and separators play a key role in safety and functionality of batteries. They separate the electrodes from each other while enabling selective ion transport. Fraunhofer IAP develops chemically and mechanically stable separators with a specifically adjustable pore architecture. Pore size and porosity can be adapted to specific requirements. There is a particular focus on PFAS-free solutions, as these poorly degradable substances are coming under increasing criticism. PFAS-free materials will facilitate the approval of new battery systems in the future. They are not only more environmentally friendly but also more powerful and durable. “Our materials can be integrated into existing production processes and at the same time contribute to higher stability and cyclability of the cells,” explains Dr. Murat Tutus, head of the department Membranes and Separators at Fraunhofer IAP.
Bio-based carbon materials and catalysts without critical elements
Fraunhofer IAP develops bio-based carbon materials for electrodes based on the renewable raw materials cellulose and lignin. In addition to economic and ecological advantages, they also offer a wide range of possibilities for structure formation. During precursor production and carbonization, properties such as pore structure, specific surface area, electrical and thermal conductivity, chemical purity, and functionalization can be specifically adjusted. This allows electrode structures to be optimized, new functions to be integrated, and fossil raw materials to be partially replaced.
In the field of catalysts, the aim is to significantly reduce the use of critical elements while ensuring high catalytic activity and long-term stability. Particle size, surface chemistry, and structural properties are precisely controlled to enable reproducible industrial processes. “The key is that we can precisely adjust the structure and surface. This results in materials with defined properties that are scalable and can be reliably integrated into industrial manufacturing processes,” says Dr. Christoph Gimmler, head of the department Nanoscale Energy and Structural Materials at Fraunhofer IAP.
From development to application
The materials are currently at an advanced stage of development. Functional samples are available on a laboratory scale, and initial tests in complete battery cells are in progress. The activities are also anchored in the Working Group on Material Development for Energy Storage and Applications (AK-MEA). The transfer to larger production scales is being carried out in close cooperation with industry partners. At InterBattery the institute is specifically seeking to engage with international partners for the joint development of innovative, high-performance catalysts, ion-conducting materials, and membrane systems for battery and hydrogen applications. With its developments, Fraunhofer IAP plays a role in making batteries safer, more durable, and more sustainable — and enabling customers to achieve a faster time-to-market.
https://www.iap.fraunhofer.de/en/press_releases/2026/innovative-battery-material...
Researchers at Fraunhofer IAP are developing tailor-made new battery materials, such as chemically a ...
Source: Jadwiga Galties
Copyright: Fraunhofer IAP
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