Researchers led by Prof. MA Cheng from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) have proposed a perovskite-based strategy to address the electrode-electrolyte contact issue that is limiting the development of next-generation solid-state Li batteries. The solid-solid composite electrode created this way reportedly exhibited exceptional capacities and rate performances.
Replacing the organic liquid electrolyte in conventional Li-ion batteries with solid electrolytes can greatly alleviate the safety issues, and potentially break the "glass ceiling" for energy density improvement. However, mainstream electrode materials are also solids. Since the contact between two solids is nearly impossible to be as tight as that between solid and liquid, at present the batteries based on solid electrolytes typically exhibit poor electrode-electrolyte contact and unsatisfactory full-cell performances.
Fortunately, MA's strategy may overcome this formidable challenge. The study began with the atom-by-atom examination of an impurity phase in a prototype, perovskite-structured solid electrolyte. Although the crystal structure differed greatly between the impurity and the solid electrolyte, they were observed to form epitaxial interfaces. After a series of detailed structural and chemical analyses, researchers discovered that the impurity phase is isostructural with the high-capacity Li-rich layered electrodes. That is to say, a prototype solid electrolyte can crystallize on the "template" formed by the atomic framework of a high-performance electrode, resulting in atomically intimate interfaces.
"This is truly a surprise," said the first author LI Fuzhen from USTC. "The presence of impurities in the material is actually a very common phenomenon, so common that most of the time they will be ignored. However, after taking a close look at them, we discovered this unexpected epitaxial behavior, and it directly inspired our strategy for improving the solid-solid contact."
Taking advantage of the observed phenomenon, the researchers intentionally crystallized the amorphous powder with the same composition as the perovskite-structured solid electrolyte on the surface of a Li-rich layered compound, and successfully realized a thorough, seamless contact between these two solid materials in a composite electrode. With the electrode-electrolyte contact issue addressed, such a solid-solid composite electrode delivered a rate capability even comparable to that from a solid-liquid composite electrode. More importantly, the researchers also found this type of epitaxial solid-solid contact may tolerate large lattice mismatches, and thus the strategy they proposed could also be applicable to many other perovskite solid electrolytes and layered electrodes.
"This work pointed out a direction that is worth pursuing," MA said. "Applying the principle raised here to other important materials could lead to even better cell performances and more interesting science. We are looking forward to it."
The researchers intend to continue their work in this direction, and apply the proposed strategy to other high-capacity, high-potential cathodes.
