Perspective on design and technical challenges of Li-garnet solid-state batteries

Measures to improve the cycling performance and stability of bulk-type all-solid-state batteries (SSBs) are currently being developed with the goal of substituting conventional Li-ion battery (LIB) technology. As known from liquid electrolyte based LIBs, layered oxide cathode materials undergo volume changes upon (de)lithiation, causing mechanical degradation due to particle fracture, among others. Unlike solid electrolytes, liquid electrolytes are somewhat capable of accommodating morphological changes. In SSBs, the rigidity of the materials used typically leads to adverse contact loss at the interfaces of cathode material and solid electrolyte during cycling. Hence, designing zero- or low-strain electrode materials for application in next-generation SSBs is desirable. In the present work, we report on novel Co-rich NCMs, NCM361 (60% Co) and NCM271 (70% Co), showing minor volume changes up to 4.5 V vs Li+/Li, as determined by operando X-ray diffraction and pressure measurements of LIB pouch and pelletized SSB cells, respectively. Both cathode materials exhibit good cycling performance when incorporated into SSB cells using argyrodite Li6PS5Cl solid electrolyte, albeit their morphology and secondary particle size have not yet been optimized.

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Rational Design of Quasi Zero-Strain NCM Cathode Materials for Minimizing Volume Change Effects in All-Solid-State Batteries

10.26434/chemrxiv.10000751 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Florian Strauss ◽

Lea de Biasi ◽

A-Young Kim ◽

Jonas Hertle ◽

Simon Schweidler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solid State ◽

Solid Electrolyte ◽

Cathode Materials ◽

Rational Design ◽

Electrode Materials ◽

Cycling Performance ◽

Mechanical Degradation ◽

Volume Changes ◽

Solid State Batteries ◽

All Solid State Batteries

Measures to improve the cycling performance and stability of bulk-type all-solid-state batteries (SSBs) are currently being developed with the goal of substituting conventional Li-ion battery (LIB) technology. As known from liquid electrolyte based LIBs, layered oxide cathode materials undergo volume changes upon (de)lithiation, causing mechanical degradation due to particle fracture, among others. Unlike solid electrolytes, liquid electrolytes are somewhat capable of accommodating morphological changes. In SSBs, the rigidity of the materials used typically leads to adverse contact loss at the interfaces of cathode material and solid electrolyte during cycling. Hence, designing zero- or low-strain electrode materials for application in next-generation SSBs is desirable. In the present work, we report on novel Co-rich NCMs, NCM361 (60% Co) and NCM271 (70% Co), showing minor volume changes up to 4.5 V vs Li+/Li, as determined by operando X-ray diffraction and pressure measurements of LIB pouch and pelletized SSB cells, respectively. Both cathode materials exhibit good cycling performance when incorporated into SSB cells using argyrodite Li6PS5Cl solid electrolyte, albeit their morphology and secondary particle size have not yet been optimized.

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Operando Visualization of Morphological Dynamics in All-Solid-State Batteries

10.26434/chemrxiv.8299406 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Xiaohan Wu ◽

Juliette Billaud ◽

Iwan Jerjen ◽

Federica Marone ◽

Yuya Ishihara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solid State ◽

Solid Electrolytes ◽

Rational Design ◽

Morphological Evolution ◽

Active Material ◽

Composite Layer ◽

Transference Number ◽

Thermal Stabilities ◽

Solid State Batteries ◽

All Solid State Batteries

<div> <div> <div> All-solid-state batteries are considered as attractive options for next-generation energy storage owing to the favourable properties (unit transference number and thermal stabilities) of solid electrolytes. However, there are also serious concerns about mechanical deformation of solid electrolytes leading to the degradation of the battery performance. Therefore, understanding the mechanism underlying the electro-mechanical properties in SSBs are essentially important. Here, we show three-dimensional and time-resolved measurements of an all-solid-state cell using synchrotron radiation x-ray tomographic microscopy. We could clearly observe the gradient of the electrochemical reaction and the morphological evolution in the composite layer. Volume expansion/compression of the active material (Sn) was strongly oriented along the thickness of the electrode. While this results in significant deformation (cracking) in the solid electrolyte region, we also find organized cracking patterns depending on the particle size and their arrangements. This study based on operando visualization therefore opens the door towards rational design of particles and electrode morphology for all-solid-state batteries. </div> </div> </div>

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Experimental Assessment of the Practical Oxidative Stability of Lithium Thiophosphate Solid Electrolytes

10.26434/chemrxiv.8014715.v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Georg Dewald ◽

Saneyuki Ohno ◽

Marvin Kraft ◽

Raimund Koerver ◽

Paul Till ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cyclic Voltammetry ◽

Solid State ◽

Oxidative Stability ◽

Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽

Solid Electrolytes ◽

Stability Limit ◽

Lithium Ion ◽

High Energy ◽

Redox Activity ◽

Solid State Batteries

All-solid-state batteries are often expected to replace conventional lithium-ion batteries in the future. However, the practical electrochemical and cycling stability of the best-conducting solid electrolytes, i.e. lithium thiophosphates, are still critical issues that prevent long-term stable high-energy cells. In this study, we use stepwisecyclic voltammetry to obtain information on the practical oxidative stability limit of Li10GeP2S12, a Li2S‑P2S5glass, as well as the argyrodite Li6PS5Cl solid electrolytes. We employ indium metal and carbon black as the counter and working electrode, respectively, the latter to increase the interfacial contact area to the electrolyte as compared to the commonly used planar steel electrodes. Using a stepwise increase in the reversal potentials, the onset potential at 25 °C of oxidative decomposition at the electrode-electrolyte interface is identified. X‑ray photoelectron spectroscopy is used to investigate the oxidation of sulfur(-II) in the thiophosphate polyanions to sulfur(0) as the dominant redox process in all electrolytes tested. Our results suggest that after the formation of these decomposition products, significant redox behavior is observed. This explains previously reported redox activity of thiophosphate solid electrolytes, which contributes to the overall cell performance in solid-state batteries. The stepwise cyclic voltammetryapproach presented here shows that the practical oxidative stability at 25 °C of thiophosphate solid electrolytes against carbon is kinetically higher than predicted by thermodynamic calculations. The method serves as an efficient guideline for the determination of practical, kinetic stability limits of solid electrolytes.

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Experimental Assessment of the Practical Oxidative Stability of Lithium Thiophosphate Solid Electrolytes

10.26434/chemrxiv.8014715 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Georg Dewald ◽

Saneyuki Ohno ◽

Marvin Kraft ◽

Raimund Koerver ◽

Paul Till ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cyclic Voltammetry ◽

Solid State ◽

Oxidative Stability ◽

Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽

Solid Electrolytes ◽

Stability Limit ◽

Lithium Ion ◽

High Energy ◽

Redox Activity ◽

Solid State Batteries

All-solid-state batteries are often expected to replace conventional lithium-ion batteries in the future. However, the practical electrochemical and cycling stability of the best-conducting solid electrolytes, i.e. lithium thiophosphates, are still critical issues that prevent long-term stable high-energy cells. In this study, we use stepwisecyclic voltammetry to obtain information on the practical oxidative stability limit of Li10GeP2S12, a Li2S‑P2S5glass, as well as the argyrodite Li6PS5Cl solid electrolytes. We employ indium metal and carbon black as the counter and working electrode, respectively, the latter to increase the interfacial contact area to the electrolyte as compared to the commonly used planar steel electrodes. Using a stepwise increase in the reversal potentials, the onset potential at 25 °C of oxidative decomposition at the electrode-electrolyte interface is identified. X‑ray photoelectron spectroscopy is used to investigate the oxidation of sulfur(-II) in the thiophosphate polyanions to sulfur(0) as the dominant redox process in all electrolytes tested. Our results suggest that after the formation of these decomposition products, significant redox behavior is observed. This explains previously reported redox activity of thiophosphate solid electrolytes, which contributes to the overall cell performance in solid-state batteries. The stepwise cyclic voltammetryapproach presented here shows that the practical oxidative stability at 25 °C of thiophosphate solid electrolytes against carbon is kinetically higher than predicted by thermodynamic calculations. The method serves as an efficient guideline for the determination of practical, kinetic stability limits of solid electrolytes.

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