Spinel‐type LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4(LNMO) is one of the most promising 5 V‐class cathode materials for Li‐ion batteries that can achieve high energy density and low production costs. However, in liquid electrolyte cells, the high voltage causes continuous cell degradation through the oxidative decomposition of carbonate‐based liquid electrolytes. In contrast, some solid‐state electrolytes have a wide electrochemical stability range and can withstand the required oxidative potential. In this work, a thin‐film battery consisting of an LNMO cathode with a solid lithium phosphorus oxynitride (LiPON) electrolyte is tested and their interface before and after cycling is characterized. With Li metal as the anode, this system can deliver stable performance for 600 cycles with an average Coulombic efficiency >99%. Neutron depth profiling indicates a slight overlithiated layer at the interface prior to cycling, a result that is consistent with the excess charge capacity measured during the first cycle. Cryogenic electron microscopy further reveals intimate contact between LNMO and LiPON without noticeable structure and chemical composition evolution after extended cycling, demonstrating the superior stability of LiPON against a high voltage cathode. Consequently, design guidelines are proposed for interface engineering that can accelerate the commercialization of a high voltage cell with solid or liquid electrolytes.
The introduction of new, safe, and reliable solid‐electrolyte chemistries and technologies can potentially overcome the challenges facing their liquid counterparts while widening the breadth of possible applications. Through tech‐historic evolution and rationally analyzing the transition from liquid‐based Li‐ion batteries (LIBs) to all‐solid‐state Li‐metal batteries (ASSLBs), a roadmap for the development of a successful oxide and sulfide‐based ASSLB focusing on interfacial challenges is introduced, while accounting for five parameters: energy density, power density, longterm stability, processing, and safety. First taking a strategic approach, this review dismantles the ASSLB into its three major components and discusses the most promising solid electrolytes and their most advantageous pairing options with oxide cathode materials and the Li metal anode. A thorough analysis of the chemical, electrochemical, and mechanical properties of the two most promising and investigated classes of inorganic solid electrolytes, namely oxides and sulfides, is presented. Next, the overriding challenges associated with the pairing of the solid electrolyte with oxide‐based cathodes and a Li‐metal anode, leading to limited performance for solid‐state batteries are extensively addressed and possible strategies to mitigate these issues are presented. Finally, future perspectives, guidelines, and selective interface engineering strategies toward the resolution of these challenges are analyzed and discussed.
more » « less- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10447439
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Advanced Energy Materials
- Volume:
- 11
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 1614-6832
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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