2D Graphene-Like Carbon Coated Solid Electrolyte for Reducing Inhomogeneous Reactions of All-Solid-State Batteries

Abstract

Recent studies have identified an imbalance between the electronic and ionic conductivities as the drivers of inhomogeneous reactions in composite cathodes, which cause the rapid degradation of all-solid-state battery (ASSB). To mitigate localized overcharge and utilize isolated active materials, the study proposes the coating of an argyrodite-type Li₆PS₅Cl solid electrolyte (SE) with graphene-like carbon (GLC@LPSCl), a 2D conductive material, to offer a continuous three-dimensionally connected electron pathway within the composite cathode to facilitate ion mobility and promote homogeneous reactions. Despite reducing the content of the conducting agent, it is observed that the GLC@LPSCl cell exhibits high initial Coulombic efficiency and discharge capacity, reducing the inhomogeneous reactivity after 200 cycles compared with when ordinary conductive agents are deployed. Additionally, the presence of GLC@LPSCI surface suppresses the interfacial reaction between SE–cathode material, thus imparting the cell with excellent capacity retention (≈90%) after 200 cycles. Furthermore, the cell performance improves even after a fourfold increase in the cathode loading amount, demonstrating the criticality of a well-developed continuous electron pathway to cell performance and highlighting the key role of ensuring a balance between the electron and ion conductivities in the development of high-energy-density and high-power ASSBs.