The role of the solid electrolyte interphase layer in preventing Li dendrite growth in solid-state batteries

by Wu, B. B.; Wang, S. Y.; Lochala, J.; Desrochers, D.; Liu, B.; Zhang, W. Q.; Yang, J. H.; Xiao, J.

Lithium (Li) metal anodes have regained intensive interest in recent years due to the ever-increasing demand for next-generation high energy battery technologies. Li metal, unfortunately, suffers from poor cycling stability and low efficiency as well as from the formation of dangerous Li dendrites, raising safety concerns. Utilizing solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) to prevent Li dendrite growth provides a promising approach to tackle the challenge. However, recent studies indicate that Li dendrites easily form at high current densities, which calls for full investigation of the fundamental mechanisms of Li dendrite formation within SSEs. Herein, the origin and evolution of Li dendrite growth through SSEs have been studied and compared by using Li6.1Ga0.3La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) and NASICON-type Li2O-Al2O3-P2O5-TiO2-GeO2 (LATP) pellets as the separators. We discover that a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI)-like interfacial layer between Li and SSE plays a critical role in alleviating the growth of dendritic Li, providing new insights into the interface between SSE and Li metal to enable future all solid-state batteries.

Journal
Energy and Environmental Science
Volume
11
Issue
7
Year
2018
Start Page
1803-1810
URL
https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c8ee00540k
ISBN/ISSN
1754-5706; 1754-5692
DOI
10.1039/c8ee00540k