Sulfide and Oxide Inorganic Solid Electrolytes for All-Solid-State Li Batteries: A Review

Argyrodite-Li6PS5Cl/Polymer-based Highly Conductive Composite Electrolyte for All-Solid-State Batteries

Solid-state batteries (SSBs) that incorporate the argyrodite-Li6PS5Cl (LPSCl) electrolyte hold potential as substitutes for conventional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the mismatched interface between the LPSCl electrolyte and electrodes leads to increased interfacial resistance and the rapid growth of lithium (Li) dendrites. These factors significantly impede the feasibility of their widespread industrial application. In this study, we developed a composite electrolyte of the LPSCl/polymer to enhance the contact between the electrolyte and electrodes and suppress dendrite formation at the grain boundary of the LPSCl ceramic. The monomer, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), is utilized for in situ polymerization through thermal curing to create the argyrodite LPSCl/polymer composite electrolyte. Additionally, the ball-milling technique was employed to modify the morphology and particle size of the LPSCl ceramic. The ball-milled LPSCl/polymer composite electrolyte demonstrates slightly higher ionic conductivity (ca. 2.21 × 10-4 S/cm) compared to the as-received LPSCl/polymer composite electrolyte (ca. 1.65 × 10-4 S/cm) at 25 °C. Furthermore, both composite electrolytes exhibit excellent compatibility with Li-metal and display cycling stability for up to 1000 h (375 cycles), whereas the as-received LPSCl and ball-milled LPSCl electrolytes maintain stability for up to 600 h (225 cycles) at a current density of 0.4 mA/cm2. The SSB with the ball-milled LPSCl/polymer composite electrolyte delivers high specific discharge capacity (138 mA h/g), Coulombic efficiency (99.97%), and better capacity retention at 0.1C, utilizing the battery configuration of coated NMC811//electrolyte//Li-Indium (In) at 25 °C.

Exploring the Relationship Between Halide Substitution, Structural Disorder, and Lithium Distribution in Lithium Argyrodites (Li6-xPS5-xBr1+x)

Lithium argyrodite superionic conductors have recently gained significant attention as potential solid electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries because of their high ionic conductivity and ease of processing. Promising aspects of these materials are the ability to introduce halides (Li6-xPS5-xHal1+x, Hal = Cl and Br) into the crystal structure, which can greatly impact the lithium distribution over the wide range of accessible sites and the structural disorder between the S2- and Hal- anion on the Wyckoff 4d site, both of which strongly influence the ionic conductivity. However, the complex relationship among halide substitution, structural disorder, and lithium distribution is not fully understood, impeding optimal material design. In this study, we investigate the effect of bromide substitution on lithium argyrodite (Li6-xPS5-xBr1+x, in the range 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) and engineer structural disorder by changing the synthesis protocol. We reveal the correlation between the lithium substructure and ionic transport using neutron diffraction, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. We find that a higher ionic conductivity is correlated with a lower average negative charge on the 4d site, located in the center of the Li+ "cage", as a result of the partial replacement of S2- by Br-. This leads to weaker interactions within the Li+ "cage", promoting Li-ion diffusivity across the unit cell. We also identify an additional T4 Li+ site, which enables an alternative jump route (T5-T4-T5) with a lower migration energy barrier. The resulting expansion of the Li+ cages and increased connections between cages lead to a maximum ionic conductivity of 8.55 mS/cm for quenched Li5.5PS4.5Br1.5 having the highest degree of structural disorder, an 11-fold improvement compared to slow-cooled Li6PS5Br having the lowest degree of structural disorder. Thereby, this work advances the understanding of the structure-transport correlations in lithium argyrodites, specifically how structural disorder and halide substitution impact the lithium substructure and transport properties and how this can be realized effectively through the synthesis method and tuning of the composition.

Li2GeS3: Lithium Ionic Conductor with an Unprecedented Structural Type

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are widely used in electric vehicles, mobile electronic devices, and large-scale stationary energy storage systems. However, their liquid electrolytes present significant safety concerns due to their inherent flammability. To address this, the focus has shifted toward all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) utilizing inorganic solid electrolytes that promise enhanced safety. In this work, we report the discovery of a new crystal structural type of Li-ion conductor, Li2GeS3, with a unique structure, synthesized by a solid-state reaction from Li2S and GeS2. It was first reported in 2000 with an orthorhombic unit cell, but its detailed crystal structure remains veiled. We have unveiled its structure for the first time, employing an ab initio structure determination technique from powder X-ray and time-of-flight neutron diffraction data. The compound has an unprecedented crystal structural type with a hexagonal P61 symmetry and a unit cell of a = 6.79364(4) Å and c = 17.90724(14) Å. Its structure is comprised of a distorted hexagonal close-packed arrangement of sulfur anions with three asymmetric metal atoms: Li1, Li2, and Ge are in tetrahedral cavities surrounded by sulfur atoms. The ionic conductivity of Li2GeS3 was measured to be 1.63 × 10-8 S cm-1 at 303 K and 2.45 × 10-7 S cm-1 at 383 K. Bond valence energy landscape calculations revealed three-dimensional lithium diffusion pathways within the structure. This novel crystal structure in Li2GeS3 holds the potential for developing high-performance ionic conductors through suitable chemical substitution and offers valuable insights into designing new ionic conductors for ASSBs.

The Impact of Intergrain Phases on the Ionic Conductivity of the LAGP Solid Electrolyte Material Prepared by Spark Plasma Sintering

Li1.5Al0.5Ge1.5(PO4)3 (LAGP) is a promising oxide solid electrolyte for all-solid-state batteries due to its excellent air stability, acceptable electrochemical stability window, and cost-effective precursor materials. However, further improvement in the ionic conductivity performance of oxide solid-state electrolytes is hindered by the presence of grain boundaries and their associated morphologies and composition. These key factors thus represent a major obstacle to the improved design of modern oxide based solid-state electrolytes. This study establishes a correlation between the influence of the grain boundary phases, their 3D morphology, and compositions formed under different sintering conditions on the overall LAGP ionic conductivity. Spark plasma sintering has been employed to sinter oxide solid electrolyte material at different temperatures with high compacity values, whereas a combined potentiostatic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, 3D FIB-SEM tomography, XRD, and solid-state NMR/materials modeling approach provides an in-depth analysis of the influence of the morphology, structure, and composition of the grain boundary phases that impact the total ionic conductivity. This work establishes the first 3D FIB-SEM tomography analysis of the LAGP morphology and the secondary phases formed in the grain boundaries at the nanoscale level, whereas the associated 31P and 27Al MAS NMR study coupled with materials modeling reveals that the grain boundary material is composed of Li4P2O7 and disordered Li9Al3(P2O7)3(PO4)2 phases. Quantitative 31P MAS NMR measurements demonstrate that optimal ionic conductivity for the LAGP system is achieved for the 680 °C SPS preparation when the disordered Li9Al3(P2O7)3(PO4)2 phase dominates the grain boundary composition with reduced contributions from the highly ordered Li4P2O7 phases, whereas the 27Al MAS NMR data reveal that minimal structural change is experienced by each phase throughout this suite of sintering temperatures.

Progress and Perspective of Glass-Ceramic Solid-State Electrolytes for Lithium Batteries

The all-solid-state lithium battery (ASSLIB) is one of the key points of future lithium battery technology development. Because solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) have higher safety performance than liquid electrolytes, and they can promote the application of Li-metal anodes to endow batteries with higher energy density. Glass-ceramic SSEs with excellent ionic conductivity and mechanical strength are one of the main focuses of SSE research. In this review paper, we discuss recent advances in the synthesis and characterization of glass-ceramic SSEs. Additionally, some discussions on the interface problems commonly found in glass-ceramic SSEs and their solutions are provided. At the end of this review, some drawbacks of glass-ceramic SSEs are summarized, and future development directions are prospected. We hope that this review paper can help the development of glass-ceramic solid-state electrolytes.

Highly Efficient, Dual-Functional Self-Assembled Electrospun Nanofiber Filters for Simultaneous PM Removal and On-Site Eye-Readable Formaldehyde Sensing

Air pollution containing particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds has caused magnificent burdens on individual health and global economy. Although advances in highly efficient or multifunctional nanofiber filters have been achieved, many existing filters can only deal with one type of air pollutant, such as capturing PM or absorbing and detecting toxic gas. Here, highly efficient, dual-functional, self-assembled electrospun nanofiber (SAEN) filters were developed for simultaneous PM removal and onsite eye-readable formaldehyde sensing fabricated on a commercial fabric mask. With the use of an electrolyte solution containing a formaldehyde-sensitive colorimetric agent as a collector during electrospinning, the one-step fabrication of the dual-functional SAEN filter on commercial masks, such as a fabric mask and a daily disposable mask, was achieved. The electrolyte solution also allowed the uniform deposition of electrospun nanofibers, thereby achieving the high efficiency of PM filtration with an increased quality factor up to twice that of commercial masks. The SAEN filter enabled onsite and eye-readable formaldehyde gas detection by changing its color from yellow to red under a 5 ppm concentrated formaldehyde gas atmosphere. The repetitive fabrication and detachment of the SAEN filter on a fabric mask minimized the waste of the mask while maintaining high filtration efficiency by replenishing the SAEN filters and reusing the fabric mask. Given the dual functionality of SAEN filters, this process could provide new insights into designing and developing high performance and dual-functional electrospun nanofiber filters for various applications, including individual protection and indoor purification applications.

Graphical Abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42765-023-00279-3.

Lithium-ion Mobility in Li6 B18 (Li3 N) and Li Vacancy Tuning in the Solid Solution Li6 B18 (Li3 N)1-x (Li2 O)x

All-solid-state batteries are promising candidates for safe energy-storage systems due to non-flammable solid electrolytes and the possibility to use metallic lithium as an anode. Thus, there is a challenge to design new solid electrolytes and to understand the principles of ion conduction on an atomic scale. We report on a new concept for compounds with high lithium ion mobility based on a rigid open-framework boron structure. The host-guest structure Li₆ B₁₈ (Li₃ N) comprises large hexagonal pores filled with ∞ 1 [ ${{}_{{\rm { \infty }}}{}^{{\rm { 1}}}{\rm { [}}}$ Li₇ N] strands that represent a perfect cutout from the structure of α-Li₃ N. Variable-temperature ⁷ Li NMR spectroscopy reveals a very high Li mobility in the template phase with a remarkably low activation energy below 19 kJ mol^-1 and thus much lower than pristine Li₃ N. The formation of the solid solution of Li₆ B₁₈ (Li₃ N) and Li₆ B₁₈ (Li₂ O) over the complete compositional range allows the tuning of lithium defects in the template structure that is not possible for pristine Li₃ N and Li₂ O.

A Brief Review of Gel Polymer Electrolytes Using In Situ Polymerization for Lithium-ion Polymer Batteries

Polymer electrolytes (PEs) have been thoroughly investigated due to their advantages that can prevent severe problems of Li-ion batteries, such as electrolyte leakage, flammability, and lithium dendrite growth to enhance thermal and electrochemical stabilities. Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) using in situ polymerization are typically prepared by thermal or UV curing methods by initially impregnating liquid precursors inside the electrode. The in situ method can resolve insufficient interfacial problems between electrode and electrolyte compared with the ex situ method, which could led to a poor cycle performance due to high interfacial resistance. In addition to the abovementioned advantage, it can enhance the form factor of bare cells since the precursor can be injected before polymerization prior to the solidification of the desired shapes. These suggest that gel polymer electrolytes prepared by in situ polymerization are a promising material for lithium-ion batteries.

Rational Optimization of Cathode Composites for Sulfide-Based All-Solid-State Batteries

All-solid-state lithium-ion batteries with argyrodite solid electrolytes have been developed to attain high conductivities of 10^-3 S cm^-1 in studies aiming at fast ionic conductivity of electrolytes. However, no matter how high the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte, the design of the cathode composite is often the bottleneck for high performance. Thus, optimization of the composite cathode formulation is of utmost importance. Unfortunately, many reports limit their studies to only a few parameters of the whole electrode formulation. In addition, different measurement setups and testing conditions employed for all-solid-state batteries make a comparison of results from mutually independent studies quite difficult. Therefore, a detailed investigation on different key parameters for preparation of cathodes employed in all-solid-state batteries is presented here. Employing a rational approach for optimization of composite cathodes using solid sulfide electrolytes elucidated the influence of different parameters on the cycling performance. First, powder electrodes made without binders are investigated to optimize several parameters, including the active materials' particle morphology, the nature and amount of the conductive additive, the particle size of the solid electrolyte, as well as the active material-to-solid electrolyte ratio. Finally, cast electrodes are examined to determine the influence of a binder on cycling performance.

Opportunities of Flexible and Portable Electrochemical Devices for Energy Storage: Expanding the Spotlight onto Semi-solid/Solid Electrolytes

The ever-increasing demand for flexible and portable electronics has stimulated research and development in building advanced electrochemical energy devices which are lightweight, ultrathin, small in size, bendable, foldable, knittable, wearable, and/or stretchable. In such flexible and portable devices, semi-solid/solid electrolytes besides anodes and cathodes are the necessary components determining the energy/power performances. By serving as the ion transport channels, such semi-solid/solid electrolytes may be beneficial to resolving the issues of leakage, electrode corrosion, and metal electrode dendrite growth. In this paper, the fundamentals of semi-solid/solid electrolytes (e.g., chemical composition, ionic conductivity, electrochemical window, mechanical strength, thermal stability, and other attractive features), the electrode-electrolyte interfacial properties, and their relationships with the performance of various energy devices (e.g., supercapacitors, secondary ion batteries, metal-sulfur batteries, and metal-air batteries) are comprehensively reviewed in terms of materials synthesis and/or characterization, functional mechanisms, and device assembling for performance validation. The most recent advancements in improving the performance of electrochemical energy devices are summarized with focuses on analyzing the existing technical challenges (e.g., solid electrolyte interphase formation, metal electrode dendrite growth, polysulfide shuttle issue, electrolyte instability in half-open battery structure) and the strategies for overcoming these challenges through modification of semi-solid/solid electrolyte materials. Several possible directions for future research and development are proposed for going beyond existing technological bottlenecks and achieving desirable flexible and portable electrochemical energy devices to fulfill their practical applications. It is expected that this review may provide the readers with a comprehensive cross-technology understanding of the semi-solid/solid electrolytes for facilitating their current and future researches on the flexible and portable electrochemical energy devices.

From symmetry breaking in the bulk to phase transitions at the surface: a quantum-mechanical exploration of Li6PS5Cl argyrodite superionic conductor

Lithium superionic conductor electrolytes may enable the safe use of metallic lithium anodes in all-solid-state batteries. The key to a successful application is a high Li conductivity in the electrolyte material, to be achieved through the maintenance of intimate contact with the electrodes and the knowledge of the chemical nature of that contact. In this manuscript, we tackle this issue by a theoretical ab initio approach. Focusing on the Li₆PS₅Cl, a thiophosphate with high ionic conductivity, we carry on thorough modeling of the surfaces together with the prediction of the thermal and elastic behaviour. Our investigation leads to some new findings: the bulk structure, as reported in the literature, appears to be metastable, with spontaneous symmetry breaking. Moreover, the relevant stoichiometric surfaces identified for stable and metastable crystal structures are not up-down symmetry related and they expose from one side Li₂S and LiCl. Surface reconstructions can be interpreted as local phase transitions. We also predict entirely ab initio the morphology of crystallites, charge, and electrostatic potential at surfaces, together with the effect of temperature on structural properties and the elastic behaviour of this material. Such findings may constitute the relevant groundwork for a better understanding of ionic transport in Li-ion conductors at the electrolyte/anode and electrolyte/cathode interfaces.

Forced Disorder in the Solid Solution Li3P-Li2S: A New Class of Fully Reduced Solid Electrolytes for Lithium Metal Anodes

All-solid-state batteries based on non-combustible solid electrolytes are promising candidates for safe energy storage systems. In addition, they offer the opportunity to utilize metallic lithium as an anode. However, it has proven to be a challenge to design an electrolyte that combines high ionic conductivity and processability with thermodynamic stability toward lithium. Herein, we report a new highly conducting solid solution that offers a route to overcome these challenges. The Li-P-S ternary was first explored via a combination of high-throughput crystal structure predictions and solid-state synthesis (via ball milling) of the most promising compositions, specifically, phases within the Li₃P-Li₂S tie line. We systematically characterized the structural properties and Li-ion mobility of the resulting materials by X-ray and neutron diffraction, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (relaxometry), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. A Li₃P-Li₂S metastable solid solution was identified, with the phases adopting the fluorite (Li₂S) structure with P substituting for S and the extra Li⁺ ions occupying the octahedral voids and contributing to the ionic transport. The analysis of the experimental data is supported by extensive quantum-chemical calculations of both structural stability, diffusivity, and activation barriers for Li⁺ transport. The new solid electrolytes show Li-ion conductivities in the range of established materials, while their composition guarantees thermodynamic stability toward lithium metal anodes.

Nanoscale interface engineering of inorganic Solid-State electrolytes for High-Performance alkali metal batteries

All-solid-state metal batteries (ASSMBs) have been regarded as the ideal candidate for the next-generation high-energy storage system due to their ultrahigh specific capacity and the lowest redox potential. However, the uncontrollable chemical reactivity during cycling which directly determines the growth behaviour of metal dendrites, the low coulombic efficiency and the safety concerns severely limit their real-world applications.. Crystallographic optimization based on solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) provides an atomic-scale and fundamental solution for the inhibition of dendrite growth in metal anodes, which has attracted widespread attentions. From this perspective, we summarize the recent advance of the crystallographic optimization for various classes of solid-state electrolytes. We highlight the recent experimental findings of crystallographic optimization for a new generation of all-solid-state batteries, including lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, magnesium-ion batteries, with the aim of providing a deeper understanding of the crystallographic reactions in ASSMBs. The challenges and prospects for the future design and engineering of crystallographic optimization of SSEs are discussed, providing ideas for further research into crystallographic optimization to improve the performance of rechargeable batteries.

Probing the Lithium Substructure and Ionic Conductivity of the Solid Electrolyte Li4PS4I

In search of high-performance solid electrolytes, various materials have been discovered in the past, approaching or even exceeding the ionic conductivity of conventional liquid electrolytes. Among the reported classes of superionic electrolytes for solid-state battery applications, lithium thiophosphates appear to be the most promising owing to their high ionic conductivity and mechanical softness. A recent example is the Li₄PS₄I phase (P4/nmm). Surprisingly, this material shows a comparatively low ionic conductivity at room temperature ranging from 10^-4 to 10^-5 S cm^-1 despite having favorable structural characteristics. Because of discrepancies between experiment and theory regarding the Li-ion conductivity and polymorphism in Li₄PS₄I, we herein examine the crystal structure over a broad temperature range using ex situ and in situ X-ray and neutron powder diffraction techniques. We demonstrate the absence of polymorphic transitions, with a lithium redistribution at low temperatures though, and confirm the relatively poor room-temperature ionic conductivity despite the presence of a three-dimensional (3D) percolation network for facile charge transport.

Flexible Asymmetric Organic-Inorganic Composite Solid-State Electrolyte Based on PI Membrane for Ambient Temperature Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries

Solid-state lithium metal batteries have attracted more and more attention in recent years because of their high safety and energy density, with developments in the new energy industry and energy storage industry. However, solid-state electrolytes are usually symmetric and are not compatible with the cathode and anode at once. In this work, a flexible asymmetric organic-inorganic composite solid-state electrolyte consisting of PI membrane, succinonitrile (SN), LiLaZrTaO(LLZTO), Poly (ethylene glycol) (PEO), and LiTFSI were prepared by solution casting successfully. This lightweight solid electrolyte is stable at a high temperature of 150°C and exhibits a wide electrochemical window of more than 6 V. Furthermore, the high ionic conductivity of the flexible solid electrolyte was 7.3 × 10−7 S/cm. The solid-state batteries assembled with this flexible asymmetric organic-inorganic composite solid electrolyte exhibit excellent performance at ambient temperature. The specific discharge capacity of coin cells using asymmetric organic-inorganic composite solid-state electrolytes was 156.56 mAh/g, 147.25 mAh/g, and 66.55 mAh/g at 0.1, 0.2, and 1C at room temperature. After 100 cycles at 0.2C, the reversible discharging capacity was 96.01 mAh/g, and Coulombic efficiency was 98%. Considering the good performance mentioned above, our designed flexible asymmetric organic-inorganic composite solid electrolyte is appropriate for next-generation solid-state batteries with high cycling stability.

Enhancing Moisture and Electrochemical Stability of the Li5.5PS4.5Cl1.5 Electrolyte by Oxygen Doping

Chlorine-rich argyrodite-type solid electrolyte Li_5.5PS_4.5Cl_1.5 has been a promising choice for solid-state batteries (SSBs) because of its ultrafast Li-ion conduction. However, the poor air/moisture stability and low electrochemical stability with pristine high-voltage cathodes hinder their applications. Herein, O-substituted Li_5.5PS_4.5-xO_xCl_1.5 (x = 0, 0.075, 0.175, and 0.25) solid electrolytes are successfully synthesized. Among them, Li_5.5PS_4.425O_0.075Cl_1.5 delivers high ionic conductivity, improved moisture resistance, and enhanced electrochemical stability in higher voltage windows. SSBs using Li_5.5PS_4.425O_0.075Cl_1.5 show higher capacities and superior cyclability than those using Li_5.5PS_4.5Cl_1.5 combined with a pristine LiNi_0.8Mn_0.1Co_0.1O₂ cathode when operated at a high end-of-charge voltage of 4.5 V (vs Li⁺/Li⁰). Moreover, the batteries exhibit outstanding performance in a wide temperature range. This work provides a strategy to modify the inherent drawbacks of sulfide electrolytes, promoting their practical applications.

Li7Ba3Al3O11: a new supertetrahedral oxide

Colorless, transparent single crystal grains were obtained from a sample prepared by heating compacts fabricated from mixtures of Li₂O, BaO, and Al₂O₃ powders at 1093 K for 6 h under an Ar atmosphere. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis showed that these crystals comprised the new compound Li₇Ba₃Al₃O₁₁ having an orthorhombic cell (lattice constants: a = 13.1706(4), b = 13.1743(4), c = 13.1372(4) Å). The crystal structure of this compound is close to the cubic structure of La₃Cr_9.24N₁₁ (space group Fm3̄m) and contains eight supertetrahedra formed via the vertex-sharing of ten Li-, Li/Al-, and Al-centered oxygen tetrahedra. These supertetrahedra are arranged in the unit cell on the basis of edge-sharing. The crystal symmetry was reduced from cubic Fm3̄m to orthorhombic Pnnn as a result of the partial ordering of Li and Al atoms in the oxygen tetrahedra with various Li/Al site occupancies from 0.0/1.0 to 1.0/0.0. Polycrystalline samples of Li₇Ba₃Al₃O₁₁ were synthesized by heating a mixture of starting materials in the molar ratio corresponding to the stoichiometric composition of Li₇Ba₃Al₃O₁₁ at 1073 K for 6 h under Ar. The electrical conductivity of a polycrystalline sample was determined using the direct current two-terminal method with Li electrodes to be 1.3 × 10^-8 S cm^-1 at 553 K. The estimated activation energy in the range of 553-673 K was 0.88 eV.

Insights on the Properties of the O-Doped Argyrodite Sulfide Solid Electrolytes (Li6PS5-xClOx, x=0-1)

Argyrodite sulfide solid electrolytes, such as Li₆PS₅Cl (LPSC), have received much attention due to their high ionic conductivity (>1 mS cm^-1) and success in all-solid-state batteries (long cycle performance, high energy density, etc.). Numerous efforts are spent on modifying the properties of the electrolyte itself. Here, we combine first-principles calculations with experiments to investigate O-doped argyrodite sulfide solid electrolytes (Li₆PS_5-xClO_x, x = 0-1). It is found that Li₆PS_4.75ClO_0.25 (LPSCO_0.25) with x = 0.25 and cubic phase (F4̅3 m) shows the highest ion conductivity of 4.7 mS cm^-1 (cold-pressed), higher than that of undoped Li₆PS₅Cl (4.2 mS cm^-1). The bare LiCoO₂/LPSCO_0.25/Li-In all-solid-state battery exhibits an initial capacity of 131 mA h g^-1 at 0.1 C and satisfactory cycling stability with 86% capacity retention after 250 cycles to the 4th cycle at 0.3 C under 25 °C. In addition, the NCM811/LPSCO_0.25/Li-In cell is assembled using bare LiNi_0.83Co_0.06Mn_0.11O₂ cathode and shows an initial discharge capacity of 181 mA h g^-1 at 0.1 C and 160 mA h g^-1 at 0.3 C. The doping of oxygen-forming Li₆PS_5-xClO_x also improves the stability to Li metal, proven by cyclic voltammetry and powder X-ray diffraction tests. The calculation results for the band structure reveals that LPSC has the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital than LPSCO_0.25, further confirming the above conclusion.

High-performance ZnCo2O4 microsheets as an anode for lithium-ion batteries

Mesoporous ZnCo₂O₄ microsheets are successfully obtained by using a MOF as a precursor. Benefiting from the special structure with favorable electron-transfer and Li-ion diffusion properties, the sample calcined at 600 °C exhibits superior lithium storage capacity of 816.2 mA h g^-1 at 100 mA g^-1 after 100 cycles, which has great application potential.

Electrical and Structural Properties of Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3-Based Ceramics Prepared with the Addition of Li4SiO4

The currently studied materials considered as potential candidates to be solid electrolytes for Li-ion batteries usually suffer from low total ionic conductivity. One of them, the NASICON-type ceramic of the chemical formula Li_1.3Al_0.3Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃, seems to be an appropriate material for the modification of its electrical properties due to its high bulk ionic conductivity of the order of 10⁻³ S∙cm⁻¹. For this purpose, we propose an approach concerning modifying the grain boundary composition towards the higher conducting one. To achieve this goal, Li₄SiO₄ was selected and added to the LATP base matrix to support Li⁺ diffusion between the grains. The properties of the Li_1.3Al_0.3Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃−xLi₄SiO₄ (0.02 ≤ x ≤ 0.1) system were studied by means of high-temperature X-ray diffractometry (HTXRD); ⁶Li, ²⁷Al, ²⁹Si, and ³¹P magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MAS NMR); thermogravimetry (TG); scanning electron microscopy (SEM); and impedance spectroscopy (IS) techniques. Referring to the experimental results, the Li₄SiO₄ additive material leads to the improvement of the electrical properties and the value of the total ionic conductivity exceeds 10⁻⁴ S∙cm⁻¹ in most studied cases. The factors affecting the enhancement of the total ionic conductivity are discussed. The highest value of σ_tot = 1.4 × 10⁻⁴ S∙cm⁻¹ has been obtained for LATP–0.1LSO material sintered at 1000 °C for 6 h.

Cause and Mitigation of Lithium-Ion Battery Failure-A Review

Lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) are seen as a viable option to meet the rising demand for energy storage. To meet this requirement, substantial research is being accomplished in battery materials as well as operational safety. LiBs are delicate and may fail if not handled properly. The failure modes and mechanisms for any system can be derived using different methodologies like failure mode effects analysis (FMEA) and failure mode methods effects analysis (FMMEA). FMMEA is used in this paper as it helps to identify the reliability of a system at the component level focusing on the physics causing the observed failures and should thus be superior to the more data-driven FMEA approach. Mitigation strategies in LiBs to overcome the failure modes can be categorized as intrinsic safety, additional protection devices, and fire inhibition and ventilation. Intrinsic safety involves modifications of materials in anode, cathode, and electrolyte. Additives added to the electrolyte enhance the properties assisting in the improvement of solid-electrolyte interphase and stability. Protection devices include vents, circuit breakers, fuses, current interrupt devices, and positive temperature coefficient devices. Battery thermal management is also a protection method to maintain the temperature below the threshold level, it includes air, liquid, and phase change material-based cooling. Fire identification at the preliminary stage and introducing fire suppressive additives is very critical. This review paper provides a brief overview of advancements in battery chemistries, relevant modes, methods, and mechanisms of potential failures, and finally the required mitigation strategies to overcome these failures.

Enhanced Performance of Zn/Br Flow Battery Using N-Methyl-N-Propylmorpholinium Bromide as Complexing Agent

Redox flow batteries (RFB) are one of the most interesting technologies in the field of energy storage, since they allow the decoupling of power and capacity. Zinc–bromine flow batteries (ZBFB) are a type of hybrid RFB, as the capacity depends on the effective area of the negative electrode (anode), on which metallic zinc is deposited during the charging process. Gaseous bromine is generated at the positive electrode (cathode) during the charging process, so the use of bromine complexing agents (BCA) is very important. These BCAs are quaternary amines capable of complexation with bromine and generating an organic phase, immiscible with the aqueous electrolyte. One of the most commonly used BCAs in RFB technology is 4-methylethylmorpholinium bromide (MEM-Br). In this work, an alternative quaternary amine 4-methylpropylmorpholinium bromide (MPM-Br) was studied. MPM-Br was integrated into the electrolyte, and 200 charge–discharge cycles were performed on the resulting ZBFBs. The obtained results were compared with those when MEM-Br was used, and it was observed that the electrolyte with MPM-Br displays a higher resistance in voltage and higher energy efficiency, making it a promising alternative to MEM-Br.

Embedding Co3O4 nanoparticles in three-dimensionally ordered macro-/mesoporous TiO2 for Li-ion hybrid capacitor

Lithium-ion hybrid capacitors (LICs) have gained increasing focus owing to their high energy/power densities. The development of anodes with superior rate capability is an effective way to surmount the kinetic mismatch between anodes and cathodes, and thus, enhancing the energy/power densities. Herein, Co₃O₄ nanoparticles embedded in three-dimensionally (3D) ordered macro-/mesoporous TiO₂ (Co₃O₄@TiO₂) are synthesized through an in situ method from dual templates. Differing from the composite prepared by loading active nanoparticles on support, Co₃O₄ nanoparticles are embedded in TiO₂ framework, which can improve the stability of the electrode. Furthermore, the hierarchically porous structure of TiO₂ is in favor of the rapid diffusion of ions and electrolyte. As a result, The Co₃O₄@TiO₂-2 composite with an optimized Co₃O₄ content (~25 wt%) delivers a high capacity of 944.1 mAh g^-1 after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g^-1 and high-rate capability (405.7 mAh g^-1 after 1000 cycles at 5 A g^-1). The LIC assembled with Co₃O₄@TiO₂-2 anode and activated carbon (AC) cathode delivers high energy/power densities (maximum, 87.9 Wh kg^-1/10208.9 W kg^-1) and great cycle stability (88.1%, 6000 cycles, 0.5 A g^-1).

Excellent Deformable Oxide Glass Electrolytes and Oxide-Type All-Solid-State Li2S-Si Batteries Employing These Electrolytes

Oxide-type all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries have attracted great attention as a candidate for a next-generation battery with high safety performance. However, batteries based on oxide systems exhibit much lower energy densities and rate performances than liquid-type lithium-ion batteries, owing to the difficulty in preparing the ion- and electron-transfer path between particles. In this study, Li₂SO₄-Li₂CO₃-LiX (X = Cl, Br, and I) glass systems are investigated as highly deformable and high-ionic-conductive oxide electrolytes. These electrolytes show excellent deformable properties and better ionic conductivity. The LiI oxide glass system is a suitable electrolyte for the negative electrode because it shows a higher ionic conductivity and is stable up to 2.8 V. The LiCl or LiBr oxide glass systems are suitable electrolytes for the positive electrode and separation layer because they show high ionic conductivity and kinetic stability up to 3.2 V. The Li₂S positive and Si negative composite electrodes employing LiBr and LiI oxide glass electrolytes, respectively, show high battery performances because of increased reaction points between active materials and the solid electrolyte and carbon via a mechanical milling process and are capable of forming good interparticle contact. Therefore, it suggests that the excellent deformable electrolytes are suitable for solid electrolytes in composite electrodes because their ionic conductivity does not change by the mechanical milling process. Furthermore, an oxide-type all-solid-state Li₂S-Si full-battery cell employing these positive and negative composite electrodes and a LiBr oxide glass electrolyte separation layer is demonstrated. The full-battery cell indicates a relatively high discharge capacity of 740 mA h g^-1(Li₂S) and an area capacity of 2.8 mA h cm^-2 at 0.064 mA cm^-2 and 45 °C despite using only safe oxide electrolytes.

Review on Interface and Interphase Issues in Sulfide Solid-State Electrolytes for All-Solid-State Li-Metal Batteries

All-solid-state batteries have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional Li-ion batteries owing to their higher energy density and safety, which stem from their use of inorganic solid-state electrolytes instead of flammable organic liquid electrolytes. Among various candidates, sulfide solid-state electrolytes are particularly promising for the development of high-energy all-solid-state Li metal batteries because of their high ionic conductivity and deformability. However, a significant challenge remains as their inherent instability in contact with electrodes forms unstable interfaces and interphases, leading to degradation of the battery performance. In this review article, we provide an overview of the key issues for the interfaces and interphases of sulfide solid-state electrolyte systems as well as recent progress in understanding such interface and interphase formation and potential solutions to stabilize them. In addition, we provide perspectives on future research directions in this field.

Theoretical and Experimental Studies of KLi6TaO6 as a Li-Ion Solid Electrolyte

We study a hexagonal oxide KLi₆TaO₆ (KLTO), proposed as a Li-ion solid electrolyte, by using a recently developed screening method. First-principles calculations predict that KLTO presents a good Li-ion conductivity (σ_Li) and a low activation energy (E_a). Li migration is enhanced by the presence of excess Li ions in the interstitial region via a kick-out mechanism. Our experimental results demonstrate that Sn-doped KLTO presents a conductivity of 1 × 10^-5 S cm^-1, a σ_Li of 6 × 10^-6 S cm^-1, and a relatively low E_a of 36 kJ mol^-1, which confirm the validity of the proposed screening method. Conversely, detailed analyses of the microstructure and X-ray diffraction patterns of KLTO samples indicate that a stable Li-excess condition is not achieved, therefore leaving potential improvement of the performance of KLTO as a Li-ion solid electrolyte by optimizing extrinsic doping and fabrication processes.

Influence of synthesis parameters on crystallization behavior and ionic conductivity of the Li4PS4I solid electrolyte

Superionic solid electrolytes are key to the development of advanced solid-state Li batteries. In recent years, various materials have been discovered, with ionic conductivities approaching or even exceeding those of carbonate-based liquid electrolytes used in high-performance Li-ion batteries. Among the different classes of inorganic solid electrolytes under study, lithium thiophosphates are one of the most promising due to their high Li-ion conductivity at room temperature and mechanical softness. Here, we report about the effect of synthesis parameters on the crystallization behavior and charge-transport properties of Li₄PS₄I. We show that thermally induced crystallization of Li₄PS₄I (P4/nmm), starting from the glassy phase 1.5Li₂S-0.5P₂S₅-LiI, adversely affects the material's conductivity. However, both conductivity and crystallization temperature can be significantly increased by applying pressure during the preparation.

All-Solid-State Lithium-Ion Batteries with Oxide/Sulfide Composite Electrolytes

Li_6.3La₃Zr_1.65W_0.35O₁₂ (LLZO)-Li₆PS₅Cl (LPSC) composite electrolytes and all-solid-state cells containing LLZO-LPSC were fabricated by cold pressing at room temperature. The LPSC:LLZO ratio was varied, and the microstructure, ionic conductivity, and electrochemical performance of the corresponding composite electrolytes were investigated; the ionic conductivity of the composite electrolytes was three or four orders of magnitude higher than that of LLZO. The high conductivity of the composite electrolytes was attributed to the enhanced relative density and the rule of mixture for soft LPSC particles with high lithium-ion conductivity (~10⁻⁴ S·cm⁻¹). The specific capacities of all-solid-state cells (ASSCs) consisting of a LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ (NCM811) cathode and the composite electrolytes of LLZO:LPSC = 7:3 and 6:4 were 163 and 167 mAh·g⁻¹, respectively, at 0.1 C and room temperature. Moreover, the charge–discharge curves of the ASSCs with the composite electrolytes revealed that a good interfacial contact was successfully formed between the NCM811 cathode and the LLZO-LPSC composite electrolyte.

Li2(BH4)(NH2) Nanoconfined in SBA-15 as Solid-State Electrolyte for Lithium Batteries

Solid electrolytes with high Li-ion conductivity and electrochemical stability are very important for developing high-performance all-solid-state batteries. In this work, Li₂(BH₄)(NH₂) is nanoconfined in the mesoporous silica molecule sieve (SBA-15) using a melting–infiltration approach. This electrolyte exhibits excellent Li-ion conduction properties, achieving a Li-ion conductivity of 5.0 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at 55 °C, an electrochemical stability window of 0 to 3.2 V and a Li-ion transference number of 0.97. In addition, this electrolyte can enable the stable cycling of Li|Li₂(BH₄)(NH₂)@SBA-15|TiS₂ cells, which exhibit a reversible specific capacity of 150 mAh g⁻¹ with a Coulombic efficiency of 96% after 55 cycles.

Effect of surface carbonates on the cyclability of LiNbO3-coated NCM622 in all-solid-state batteries with lithium thiophosphate electrolytes

While still premature as an energy storage technology, bulk solid-state batteries are attracting much attention in the academic and industrial communities lately. In particular, layered lithium metal oxides and lithium thiophosphates hold promise as cathode materials and superionic solid electrolytes, respectively. However, interfacial side reactions between the individual components during battery operation usually result in accelerated performance degradation. Hence, effective surface coatings are required to mitigate or ideally prevent detrimental reactions from occurring and having an impact on the cyclability. In the present work, we examine how surface carbonates incorporated into the sol-gel-derived LiNbO3 protective coating on NCM622 [Li1+x(Ni0.6Co0.2Mn0.2)1-xO2] cathode material affect the efficiency and rate capability of pellet-stack solid-state battery cells with β-Li3PS4 or argyrodite Li6PS5Cl solid electrolyte and a Li4Ti5O12 anode. Our research data indicate that a hybrid coating may in fact be beneficial to the kinetics and the cycling performance strongly depends on the solid electrolyte used.

Multifunctional NiFe2O4 nanoparticles for sodium-ion batteries, sensing, and photocatalysis

NiFe2O4 NPs synthesized by co-precipitation method exhibited excellent electrochemical properties towards sodium ion batteries and oxidation of uric acid. NiFe2O4 NPs also exhibited good catalytic activity for simultaneous degradation of multiple dyes.

New rationally designed hybrid polypyrrole@SnCoS4 as an efficient anode for lithium-ion batteries

Three active materials containing binary metal sulfide (SnCoS₄) were obtained via a simple hydrothermal method. Also, the electrochemical performance of the anode materials was investigated in a lithium-ion half-cell.

Reduction of Grain Boundary Resistance of La0.5Li0.5TiO3 by the Addition of Organic Polymers

The organic solvents that are widely used as electrolytes in lithium ion batteries present safety challenges due to their volatile and flammable nature. The replacement of liquid organic electrolytes by non-volatile and intrinsically safe ceramic solid electrolytes is an effective approach to address the safety issue. However, the high total resistance (bulk and grain boundary) of such compounds, especially at low temperatures, makes those solid electrolyte systems unpractical for many applications where high power and low temperature performance are required. The addition of small quantities of a polymer is an efficient and low cost approach to reduce the grain boundary resistance of inorganic solid electrolytes. Therefore, in this work, we study the ionic conductivity of different composites based on non-sintered lithium lanthanum titanium oxide (La_0.5Li_0.5TiO₃) as inorganic ceramic material and organic polymers with different characteristics, added in low percentage (<15 wt.%). The proposed cheap composite solid electrolytes double the ionic conductivity of the less cost-effective sintered La_0.5Li_0.5TiO₃.

Recent Advancements of N-Doped Graphene for Rechargeable Batteries: A Review

Graphene, a 2D carbon structure, due to its unique materials characteristics for energy storage applications has grasped the considerable attention of scientists. The highlighted properties of this material with a mechanically robust and highly conductive nature have opened new opportunities for different energy storage systems such as Li-S (lithium-sulfur), Li-ion batteries, and metal-air batteries. It is necessary to understand the intrinsic properties of graphene materials to widen its large-scale applications in energy storage systems. In this review, different routes of graphene synthesis were investigated using chemical, thermal, plasma, and other methods along with their advantages and disadvantages. Apart from this, the applications of N-doped graphene in energy storage devices were discussed.

Research Progress of Graphene-Based Materials on Flexible Supercapacitors

With the development of wearable and flexible electronic devices, there is an increasing demand for new types of flexible energy storage power supplies. The flexible supercapacitor has the advantages of fast charging and discharging, high power density, long cycle life, good flexibility, and bendability. Therefore, it exhibits great potential for use in flexible electronics. In flexible supercapacitors, graphene materials are often used as electrode materials due to the advantages of their high specific surface area, high conductivity, good mechanical properties, etc. In this review, the classification of flexible electrodes and some common flexible substrates are firstly summarized. Secondly, we introduced the advantages and disadvantages of five graphene-based materials used in flexible supercapacitors, including graphene quantum dots (GQDs), graphene fibers (GFbs), graphene films (GFs), graphene hydrogels (GHs), and graphene aerogels (GAs). Then, we summarized the latest developments in the application of five graphene-based materials for flexible electrodes. Finally, the defects and outlooks of GQDs, GFbs, GFs, GHs, and GAs used in flexible electrodes are given.

Effect of Reducing Agent on Solution Synthesis of Li3V2(PO4)3 Cathode Material for Lithium Ion Batteries

In this study, Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ (LVP) powders are prepared by a solution synthesis method. The effects of two reducing agents on crystal structure and morphology and electrochemical properties are investigated. Preliminary studies on reducing agents such as oxalic acid and citric acid, are used to reduce the vanadium (V) precursor. The oxalic acid-assisted synthesis induces smaller particles (30 nm) compared with the citric acid-assisted synthesis (70 nm). The LVP powders obtained by the oxalic acid exhibit a higher specific capacity (124 mAh g⁻¹ at 1C) and better cycling performance (122 mAh g⁻¹ following 50 cycles at 1C rate) than those for the citric acid. This is due to their higher electronic conductivity caused by carbon coating and downsizing the particles. The charge-discharge plateaus obtained from cyclic voltammetry are in good agreement with galvanostatic cycling profiles.