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This review introduces solid electrolytes based on sulfide/polymer composites which are used in all‐solid‐state lithium batteries, describing the use of polymers as plasticizer, the lithium‐ion conductive channel, the preparation methods of solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs), including dry methods and wet methods with their advantages and disadvantages. In addition, the physicochemical stability of sulfide/polymer composite based solid‐state electrolytes is analyzed. The sulfide/polymer composite based solid‐state electrolyte can be utilized in lithium metal or lithium sulfur batteries. However, there are still many problems left to be solved in practical applications of these solid‐state electrolytes. In this review, several solutions are explored. Firstly, the ultra‐long life cycle of batteries can be achieved by thinning the composite electrolyte. Secondly, when sulfur is applied as the positive electrode, the thinning electrolyte can reduce polarization and other problems. Finally, an integrated battery is employed to reduce the interface impedance. By addressing these aspects, the review aims to provide valuable insights into the future development of high‐performance solid‐state electrolytes in lithium battery technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The low ionic conductivity of composite solid-state electrolytes due to the lack of free Li-ions and Li dendrite growth induced by the low transference number seriously hinder their application. Herein, we find that the giant dielectric ceramic of Li0.3Ti0.02Ni0.68O (LTNO) with ultra-high dielectric constant can greatly promote the dissociation of Li salt to generate abundant movable Li-ions and realize a high room-temperature ionic conductivity (4.09 × 10–4 S cm−1) as well as a low activation energy (0.16 eV). The oxygen vacancies on the surface of LTNO can effectively immobilize the anions to achieve a high Li transference number (0.61). Furthermore, the enhanced dielectric properties of the composite electrolyte induce homogenous Li plating/stripping to suppress the growth of Li dendrites. As a result, the Li||Li symmetric cells exhibit long lifespan of 2400 h and 1150 h at 0.1 mA cm−2 and 0.2 mA cm−2, respectively. The Li||LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 solid-state full cells show a high capacity retention of 83% after 430 cycles at 2C. This work highlights the critical role of high dielectric property and oxygen defects of fillers in composite solid-state electrolytes, and provides a demonstration for the application of giant dielectric materials in solid-state Li metal batteries.

The low ionic conductivity of composite solid-state electrolytes due to the lack of free Li-ions and Li dendrite growth induced by the low transference number seriously hinder their application. Herein, we find that the giant dielectric ceramic of Li0.3Ti0.02Ni0.68O (LTNO) with ultra-high dielectric constant can greatly promote the dissociation of Li salt to generate abundant movable Li-ions and realize a high room-temperature ionic conductivity (4.09 × 10–4 S cm−1) as well as a low activation energy (0.16 eV). The oxygen vacancies on the surface of LTNO can effectively immobilize the anions to achieve a high Li transference number (0.61). Furthermore, the enhanced dielectric properties of the composite electrolyte induce homogenous Li plating/stripping to suppress the growth of Li dendrites. As a result, the Li||Li symmetric cells exhibit long lifespan of 2400 h and 1150 h at 0.1 mA cm−2 and 0.2 mA cm−2, respectively. The Li||LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 solid-state full cells show a high capacity retention of 83% after 430 cycles at 2C. This work highlights the critical role of high dielectric property and oxygen defects of fillers in composite solid-state electrolytes, and provides a demonstration for the application of giant dielectric materials in solid-state Li metal batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights Ultra-thin asymmetric composite solid-state electrolytes with ultralight areal density were designed for solid-state lithium metal batteries, achieving interfacial stability to Li metal and high-voltage cathode. The improved mechanical properties of the electrolyte contribute to the inhibition of Li dendrite growth was demonstrated by both experimental and theoretical simulations. The assembled pouch cell exhibited a high gravimetric/volume energy density of 344.0 Wh kg−1/773.1 Wh L−1.

Highlights: Ultra-thin asymmetric composite solid-state electrolytes with ultralight areal density were designed for solid-state lithium metal batteries, achieving interfacial stability to Li metal and high-voltage cathode. The improved mechanical properties of the electrolyte contribute to the inhibition of Li dendrite growth was demonstrated by both experimental and theoretical simulations. The assembled pouch cell exhibited a high gravimetric/volume energy density of 344.0 Wh kg−1/773.1 Wh L−1. Solid-state lithium metal batteries (SSLMBs) show great promise in terms of high-energy–density and high-safety performance. However, there is an urgent need to address the compatibility of electrolytes with high-voltage cathodes/Li anodes, and to minimize the electrolyte thickness to achieve high-energy–density of SSLMBs. Herein, we develop an ultrathin (12.6 µm) asymmetric composite solid-state electrolyte with ultralight areal density (1.69 mg cm−2) for SSLMBs. The electrolyte combining a garnet (LLZO) layer and a metal organic framework (MOF) layer, which are fabricated on both sides of the polyethylene (PE) separator separately by tape casting. The PE separator endows the electrolyte with flexibility and excellent mechanical properties. The LLZO layer on the cathode side ensures high chemical stability at high voltage. The MOF layer on the anode side achieves a stable electric field and uniform Li flux, thus promoting uniform Li+ deposition. Thanks to the well-designed structure, the Li symmetric battery exhibits an ultralong cycle life (5000 h), and high-voltage SSLMBs achieve stable cycle performance. The assembled pouch cells provided a gravimetric/volume energy density of 344.0 Wh kg−1/773.1 Wh L−1. This simple operation allows for large-scale preparation, and the design concept of ultrathin asymmetric structure also reveals the future development direction of SSLMBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite solid-state electrolytes are viewed as promising materials for solid-state lithium-ion batteries due to their combined advantages of inorganic solid-state electrolytes and solid-state polymer electrolytes. In this study, the solid electrolytes Li6.7−xLa3Zr1.7−xSb0.3NbxO12 (LLZSNO) with Sb and Nb co-doping were prepared by a high-temperature solid-phase method. Results indicate that Sb/Nb co-doping causes lattice deformation in LLZO and increases the lithium vacancy concentration and conductivity of LLZO. Then, with the co-doped LLZSNO as an inorganic filler, a composite solid electrolyte of polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP) was prepared with a casting method. The obtained composite solid electrolyte exhibits a high ionic conductivity of 1.76 × 10−4 S/cm at room temperature, a wide electrochemical stable window of 5.2 V, and a lithium-ion transfer number of 0.32. The Li|LiFePO4 coin battery with the composite solid electrolyte shows a high specific capacity of 161.2 mAh/g and a Coulombic efficiency close to 100% at 1 C. In addition, the symmetrical lithium battery Li|Li with the composite electrolyte could cycle stably for about 1500 h without failure at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite solid-state electrolytes are viewed as promising materials for solid-state lithium-ion batteries due to their combined advantages of inorganic solid-state electrolytes and solid-state polymer electrolytes. In this study, the solid electrolytes Li6.7−xLa3Zr1.7−xSb0.3NbxO12 (LLZSNO) with Sb and Nb co-doping were prepared by a high-temperature solid-phase method. Results indicate that Sb/Nb co-doping causes lattice deformation in LLZO and increases the lithium vacancy concentration and conductivity of LLZO. Then, with the co-doped LLZSNO as an inorganic filler, a composite solid electrolyte of polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP) was prepared with a casting method. The obtained composite solid electrolyte exhibits a high ionic conductivity of 1.76 × 10−4 S/cm at room temperature, a wide electrochemical stable window of 5.2 V, and a lithium-ion transfer number of 0.32. The Li|LiFePO4 coin battery with the composite solid electrolyte shows a high specific capacity of 161.2 mAh/g and a Coulombic efficiency close to 100% at 1 C. In addition, the symmetrical lithium battery Li|Li with the composite electrolyte could cycle stably for about 1500 h without failure at room temperature.

The development of high-performance solid-state electrolyte (SSE) films is critical to the practical application of all-solid-state Li metal batteries (ASSLMBs). However, developing high-performance free-standing electrolyte films remains a challenging task. In this work, we demonstrate a novel scalable solvent-free process for fabricating high ceramic content composite solid-state electrolyte (HCCSE) films. Specifically speaking, a mixture of ceramic and polymer is dry mixed, fibered, and calendered into a free-standing porous ceramic film, on which polymer precursor is coated and polymerized to bridge the inorganic ceramic particles, resulting in a flexible HCCSE film with a ceramic content of up to 80 wt.%. High ceramic content not only leads to high ionic conductivity but also brings good mechanical properties; while the organic phase enables electrode electrolyte interfacial stability. When Li10GeP2S12 (LGPS) and polymeric ionic liquid-based solid polymer electrolytes (PIL-SPEs) were used as the inorganic and organic phases, respectively, the room temperature ionic conductivity of the resulted HCCSE reaches 0.91 mS·cm−1. Based on this HCCSE, Li∥Li symmetric battery cycled stably for more than 2,400 h with ultra-low overpotential, and ASSLMBs with different cathodes (LiFePO4 and sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (PAN-S)) present small polarization and decent cyclability at room temperature. This work provides a novel scalable solvent-free strategy for preparing high-performance freestanding composite solid-state electrolyte (CSE) film for room temperature ASSLMBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Aminopropyl triethoxysilane is introduced to tailor the organic/inorganic interfaces in the CSSE based on the –NH 2 effect. • The hydrogen bond interaction between –NH 2 and PEO can enhance the interface interaction. • Lone pair electrons on N can react with electron-deficient -CN in solvent ACN and promote the uniform dispersion of LLZAO. • Lone pair electrons on N can complex with Li+ and promote the dissociation of Li salts and uniform Li+ diffusion. Composite solid-state electrolyte (CSSE) with integrated strengths avoids the weaknesses of organic and inorganic electrolytes, and thus become a better choice for all-solid-state lithium battery (ASSLB). However, the poor dispersion of inorganic fillers and the organic/inorganic nature difference leads to their interface incompatibility, which greatly destroys the performance of CSSE and ASSLB. Herein, silane coupling agent (SCA) aminopropyl triethoxysilane (ATS) is introduced to tailor the organic/inorganic interfaces in CSSE by the common chemical bridging effect of SCA and the special amino effect (hydrogen bond and lone pair electron effects). It is found that the hydrogen bond interaction between –NH 2 and polyethylene oxide (PEO) enhances their interface interaction. And the lone pair electrons on nitrogen atom allow it to react with solvent acetonitrile and promote the uniform dispersion of ceramic fillers. Moreover, the lone pair electrons can complex with Li+, which promotes the dissociation of Li salts, uniforms Li+ diffusion and inhibits the Li dendrite. Thanks to the above merits, the interface compatibility and stability of organic/inorganic CSSE are much enhanced by innovatively introducing ATS, showing high ionic conductivity and superior mechanical/thermal stability. The ASSLB with this modified CSSE exhibits excellent electrochemical performance with a reversible capacity of 140.9 mAh g−1 and a capacity retention of 94.4% after 280 cycles. These achievements offer a new insight into improving the stability of organic/inorganic CSSE interface and promoting their applicability into ASSLB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integrated approach of interfacial engineering and composite electrolytes is crucial for the market application of Li metal batteries (LMBs). A 22 μm thin-film type polymer/Li 6.4 La 3 Zr 1.4 Ta 0.6 O 12 (LLZTO) composite solid-state electrolyte (LPCE) was designed that combines fast ion conduction and stable interfacial evolution, enhancing lithium metal interface stability and cycling performance. The ether-based molecular coordination groups/clusters formed by triethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TGDE) and anions facilitated the movement of Li + between the polymer chain segments. These specific coordination clusters significantly "constrained" the interaction between anions and Li + , inducing the anions to follow the clusters to the Li metal and preferentially participate in solid electrolyte interface (SEI) derivatization. The inorganic salt-rich gradient SEI modulates Li + deposition and inhibits uncontrolled dendrite growth, achieving stable cycling of Li symmetric cell at 0.2 mA cm -2 for over 2000 h. Furthermore, the Li||NCM811 cell at a rate of 0.1 C exhibits an initial discharge capacity of 194.5 mAh g -1 , maintaining a capacity retention rate of over 90% after 500 cycles. This work demonstrates the importance of domain-limited ion clusters in ion transport and interfacial evolution, providing a perspective for solid-state LMBs.

Solid-state Li metal batteries with solid electrolytes have built a potential way to solve the safety and low energy density problems of current commercial Li-ion batteries with liquid electrolyte. As a key component of solid-state Li metal batteries, solid electrolytes require high ionic conductivities and good mechanical properties. We have designed a composite solid electrolyte (CSE) consisting of poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP)-Li6.5La3Zr1.5Ta0.5O12 (LLZTO)-succinonitrile (SN) and Li bis(trifluoromethylsulphonyl)imide (LiTFSI). The PVDF-HFP-based porous matrix made by electrospinning ensures good mechanical properties of the electrolyte membrane, and the large proportion of SN filling material makes the electrolyte membrane have an ionic conductivity of 1.11 mS·cm−1 without the addition of liquid electrolyte. The symmetric battery assembled with CSE can be cycled stably for more than 600 h, and the LiFePO4∣CSE∣Li full battery can also be cycled stably for more than 200 cycles. In addition to Li metal batteries, Li-O2 and Li-CO2 batteries that use CSE as electrolytes also have good performances, reflecting the universality of CSE. CSE does not only guarantee good mechanical properties but also obtain a high ionic conductivity. This design provides a new idea for the commercial application of polymer-based solid batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solid-state electrolyte (SSE) has promising applications in next-generation lithium (Li) metal batteries (LMBs) because of its significantly enhanced safety and more compatible interface characteristics than flammable traditional liquid electrolytes. However, only a few attempts have achieved high-performance high-voltage LMBs, which is attributed to the fact that both high ionic conductivity and good compatibility with electrodes can hardly be achieved simultaneously. Herein, a composite solid-state electrolyte (CSE) based on star-shaped siloxane-based polymer electrolyte coupled with Li6.75La3Zr1.75Ta0.25O12 (LLZTO) ceramic fillers is designed and prepared through a facile in-situ polymerization method. The obtained CSE exhibits high ionic conductivity (i.e., 1.68 × 10−4 S cm−1 at a temperature of 60 °C), superior anodic stability, and high Li-ion transference number (i.e., 0.53) because of the multifunctional synergistic effect of the polymer electrolyte with LLZTO ceramic fillers. Moreover, the as-developed CSE shows excellent compatibility with Li anodes. As a result, the as-developed CSE enables the development of long-life 4.4-V-class solid-state LMBs with a LiCoO2 cathode, with 79.7% capacity retention and 99.74% average Coulombic efficiency after 500 cycles at a 0.5 C rate. Postmortem analysis of cycled batteries confirms that such superior battery performance can be mainly ascribed to the formation of a compatible electrode/electrolyte interface. Furthermore, excellent safety features can be observed in LiCoO2/Li pouch batteries. This work provides an important guide for the rational design of SSEs for high-voltage LMBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The room and low-temperature performances of solid-state lithium batteries are crucial to expand their practical application. Polyethylene oxide (PEO) has received great attention as the most representative polymer electrolyte matrix. However, most PEO-based solid-state batteries need to operate at high temperature due to low room temperature ionic conductivity. Improving the ionic conductivity by adding plasticizers or reducing the crystallinity of PEO often compromises its mechanical strength. Here, an amorphous PEO-based composite solid-state electrolyte is obtained by ultraviolet (UV) polymerizing PEO and methacryloyloxypropyltrimethoxy silane (KH570)-modified SiO 2 which demonstrates both satisfactory mechanical performance and high ionic conductivity at room (3.37 × 10−4 S cm−1) and low temperatures (1.73 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 0 °C). In this electrolyte, the crystallinity of PEO is reduced through cross-linking, and therefore provides a fast Li+ ions transfer area. Moreover, the KH570-modified SiO 2 inorganic particles promote the dissociation of lithium salts by Lewis acid centers to increase the ionic conductivity. Importantly, this kind of cross-linking networks endows the final electrolyte much higher mechanical strength than the pure PEO polymer electrolyte or PEO-inorganic filler blended systems. The solid-state LiFePO 4 /Li cell assembled with this electrolyte exhibits excellent cycling performance and high capacity at room and low temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite solid-state electrolyte have good interfacial compatibility and mechanical properties, but their safety (such as easy to catch fire) and economic cost are still problems. In present work, an composite solid-state electrolyte was prepared by inserting poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based polymer electrolyte matrix into the interlayer of a low cost clay mineral-montmorillonite. The composite electrolyte exhibited remarkable characteristics, including excellent flame retardancy, high room temperature ionic conductivity of 2.28 × 10−4 S cm−1, wide electrochemical stability window of 4.8 V, high lithium-ion transference number of 0.57 and good mechanical strength of 12.58 MPa. Furthermore, LiFePO 4 -based solid-state battery, utilizing this composite solid-state electrolyte, exhibited stable cycling with discharge specific capacity of 130 mAh g−1 for over 100 cycles at a rate of 0.5C at room temperature. This successful performance demonstrated the potential of utilizing low-cost and environmentally friendly raw clay mineral materials in high energy density solid-state battery applications. • A montmorillonite-based composite solid-state electrolyte was prepared. • The composite electrolyte exhibited high ionic conductivity at room temperature. • The excellent flame retardancy was attributed to the high montmorillonite content. • Low-cost clay mineral greatly reduced the cost of solid electrolytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid-state Li metal batteries (SSLMBs) are widely investigated since they possess promising energy density and high safety. However, the poor interfacial compatibility between the electrolyte and electrodes limits their promising development. Herein, a robust composite electrolyte (poly(vinyl ethylene carbonate) electrolyte with 3 wt % of BaTiO 3 , PVEC-3BTO) with excellent interfacial performance is rationally designed by incorporating ferroelectric BaTiO 3 (BTO) nanoparticles into the poly(vinyl ethylene carbonate) (PVEC) electrolyte matrix. Benefiting from the high dielectric constant and ferroelectric properties of BTO, the interfacial compatibility between electrolytes and electrodes was significantly improved. The enhanced Li + transference number (0.64) of solid electrolyte and in situ generated BaF 2 inorganic interphase contribute to the enhanced cycling stability of PVEC-3BTO based Li//Li symmetrical batteries. Furthermore, the antioxidation ability of PVEC-3BTO has also been enhanced by modulating the local electric field for good pairing with high-voltage LiCoO 2 material. Therefore, in this work, the mechanism of BTO for improving interfacial compatibility is revealed, and also useful methods for addressing the interface issues of SSLMBs have been provided.

Due to the high safety, flexibility, and excellent compatibility with lithium metals, composite solid-state electrolytes (CSEs) are the best candidates for next-generation lithium metal batteries, and the construction of fast and uniform Li + transport is a critical part of the development of CSEs. In this paper, a stable three-dimensional metal-organic framework (MOF) network was obtained using polydopamine as a medium, and a high-performance CSE reinforced by the three-dimensional MOF network was constructed, which not only provides a continuous channel for Li + transport but also restricts large anions and releases more mobile Li + through a Lewis acid-base interaction. This strategy endows our CSEs with an ionic conductivity (7.1 × 10 -4 S cm -1 at 60 °C), a wide electrochemical window (5.0 V), and a higher Li + transfer number (0.54). At the same time, the lithium symmetric batteries can be stably cycled for 2000 h at 0.1 mA cm -2 , exhibiting excellent electrochemical stability. The LiFePO 4 /Li cells have a high initial discharge specific capacity of 153.9 mAh g -1 at 1C, with a capacity retention of 80% after 915 cycles. This paper proposes an approach for constructing three-dimensional MOF network-enhanced CSEs, which provides insights into the design and development of MOFs for the positive effects of high-performance CSEs.

In this work, highly ionically conductive Li 6.5 La 3 Zr 1.5 Ta 0.1 Nb 0.4 O 12 (LLZTNO) fillers were blended into a poly(ethylene oxide) matrix to construct a composite solid-state electrolyte (CSSE). The LLZTNO fillers decrease the crystallinity of the PEO and provide extra lithium-ion transport pathways. Additionally, TFSI− anions are immobilized by the LLZTNO ceramic powders, and more Li ions are mobilized, increasing the overall ionic conductivity in CSSE. The PEO-LiTFSI-10% LLZTNO (i.e., PL-LLZTNO10%) CSSE shows the highest conductivity of 0.36 × 10−4 S cm−1 with a broad voltage window of 4.7 V at room temperature. The Li/ PL-LLZTNO10% CSSE/Li symmetric cells could operate for approximately 1200 h at 63 mV polarization voltage. The assembled solid-state LFP/PL-LLZTNO10%/Li cells deliver a 158.3 mAh g−1 capacity at 0.2C and 60 °C. After 300 cycles, its specific discharge capacity remains at 143.5 mAh g−1 with a Coulombic efficiency of 99.54%. [Display omitted] • PEO-LLZTNO composite electrolyte shows a broad electrochemical window of 4.7 V; • The assembled symmetric cell operates for 1200 h without short circuit; • The critical current density of PEO-LLZTNO electrolyte could reach 0.3 mA/cm2 with a capacity of 0.3 mAh/cm2; • The assembled composite solid-state lithium metal cells deliver 143.5 mAh g−1 with 99.54% Coulombic efficiency after 300 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, rechargeable lithium metal polymer battery (LMPB) attracts increasing attention because of its high safety and energy density properties. However, the high contact interfacial resistance of solid-state electrode and electrolyte is still an obstacle to satisfy the demand of high current density and long cycle stability, especially at room and lower temperature. Here, we develop a simple and efficient heat treatment method, to improve the interfacial compatibility between electrode and electrolyte in all-solid-state LMPB, successfully realizing workable LMPB at a reduced temperature (30 °C). The LMPB shows excellent cycling performance and rate capability in the voltage range of 2.5–4.2 V. The behavior of Li + plating/stripping on the surface of lithium metal anode is greatly enhanced. Meanwhile, the interfacial resistance of the LMPB decrease significantly after the heat treatment process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-safety composite solid-state electrolyte (CSSE) was constructed by embedding the high ionic conductivity garnet type Li 6.5 La 3 Zr 1.5 Ta 0.1 Nb 0.4 O 12 (LLZTNO) powder into a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix. The ionic conductivity of the CSSE containing 10% LLZTNO could reach 1.05 × 10−4 S cm−1, and the electrochemical window was extended to 4.80 V vs Li/Li+. In addition, the evolution and composition of the SEI layer were characterized by in-situ optical microscopic observation, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM). When paired with an NCM811 cathode, the batteries showed good rate cycling performance, and the discharge capacity could be maintained at 137.1 and 91.2 mAh g−1 at 0.3C and 2C after 80 and 100 cycles. The needle penetration test further demonstrated superior safety and potential applications of the PVDF-based room-temperature CSSE batteries. • A composite solid-state electrolyte with high ionic conductivity was developed. • It demonstrates a wide electrochemical window and excellent cycling performance. • The characteristics of SEI were identified by cryogenic TEM. • The Li metal battery assembled from the composite electrolyte show excellent safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The novel internal lithium polymeric salt interfacial phase is well constructed • The in-situ polymerization and solvent-free methods are designed and investigated. • The interfacial phase construction process is suitable for various ceramic fillers. • Enhanced ionic conductivity properties and electrochemical stability of electrolytes. • The improved long-cycle performance of Li symmetric cells and full metal batteries. The solid-state lithium metal batteries are considered a promising direction for developing lithium-based energy storage devices because of their superiority over lithium-ion batteries containing liquid electrolytes in energy density and safety performance. However, the design, preparation, and optimization of solid-state electrolytes (SSEs), especially composite solid-state electrolytes (CSEs), still face critical construction design and composite process challenges. This work proposes and designs a method to construct a highly compatible and lithium-ion conductive interfacial phase by coating the inorganic phase with polymeric lithium salt in the composite solid electrolytes. The introduction of the lithium salt interfacial phase efficiently improves the cycle performance and stability of CSEs in lithium metal batteries by synergistic optimization of the composite interfacial phase. We investigate two different modification methods (solvent-free and in-situ methods) in two different inorganic systems (Li 6.4 La 3 Zr 1.4 Ta 0.6 O 12 (LLZTO) and LiTa 2 PO 8 (LTPO)) to demonstrate the practical value of this design. The highest ionic conductivity of the modified PEO/LTPO CSEs (50 wt%) can be improved to 9.3 × 10-4 S·cm−1 at 80℃ and 4.0 × 10-5 at RT (∼25℃, hereinafter inclusive), while those of the modified PEO/LLZTO CSEs can reach 1.4 × 10-3 S·cm−1 at 80℃ and 5.5 × 10-5 at RT. The results demonstrate that the interfacial phase also enhances the electrochemical and cycle stability of CSEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A composite solid-state electrolyte (SSE) with acceptable safety and durability is considered as a potential candidate for high-performance lithium-oxygen (Li-O 2 ) batteries. Herein, to address the safety issues and improve the electrochemical performance of Li-O 2 batteries, a solvent-free composite SSE is prepared based on the thermal initiation of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate radical polymerization, and an integrated battery is achieved by injecting an electrolyte precursor between electrodes during the assembly process through a simple heat treatment. The Li-metal symmetric cells based on this composite SSE achieve a critical current density of 0.8 mA cm -2 and a stable cycle life of over 900 h at a current density of 0.2 mA cm -2 . This composite SSE effectively inhibits the erosion of O 2 on the Li metal anode, optimizes the interface between the electrolyte and cathode, and provides abundant reaction sites for the electrochemical reactions during cycling. The integrated solid-state Li-O 2 battery prepared in this work achieves stable long cycling (118 cycles) at a current density of 500 mA g -1 at room temperature, showing the promising future application prospects.

Most of the catalysts in lithium sulfur (Li-S) batteries present low electronic conductivity and the lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) must diffuse onto the surface of the carbon materials to achieve their conversion reaction. It is a significant challenge to achieve the instantaneous transformation of LiPSs to Li 2 S in Li-S batteries to suppress the shuttle effect of LiPSs. Herein, a unique electron and ion co-conductive catalyst of carbon-coated Li 1.4 Al 0.4 Ti 1.6 (PO 4 ) 3 (C@LATP) is developed, which not only possesses strong adsorption to LiPSs, but, more importantly, also promotes the instantaneous conversion reaction of LiPSs to Li 2 S. The C@LATP nanoparticles as catalytic active sites can synchronously and efficiently provide both Li ions and electrons to facilitate the conversion reaction of LiPSs. The conversion reaction path of LiPSs using C@LATP changes from traditional "adsorption-diffusion-conversion" to novel "adsorption-conversion," which effectively lowers the decomposition barrier of Li 2 S 6 and promotes faster conversion of LiPSs. The shuttle effect of LiPSs is considerably suppressed and utilization of sulfur is greatly improved. The Li-S batteries using C@LATP present excellent rate, cycling, and self-discharge properties. This work highlights the significance of electron and ion co-conductive solid-state electrolytes for the instantaneous transformation of LiPSs in advanced Li-S batteries., (© 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

• Li 0.35 La 0.55 TiO 3 (LLTO) are synthesized by sol-gel method and two-step calcination. • LLTO-(PEO-FEC) possess high Li+ conductivity vs low electronic conductivity at 25 °C. • LLTO-(PEO-FEC) show a wide electrochemical window of 5.2 V (vs. Li+/Li). • FEC-Li+ coordination enables interface self-healing and dendrite-free Li deposition. Solid-state Li-metal batteries have attracted much attention owing to the high energy density and safety afforded by Li-metal anode and solid-state electrolytes. However, Li-dendrite penetration and unstable interface between solid-state electrolyte and Li-metal incumber their application. Herein, fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) added Li 0.35 La 0.55 TiO 3 -Poly (ethylene oxide) (LLTO-(PEO-FEC)) composite solid-state electrolytes (CSSEs) are fabricated to address the bottlenecks. The CSSE possesses high Li+ conductivity of 1.13 × 10−4 S·cm−1 vs low electronic conductivity of 1.68 × 10−9 S·cm−1 at 25 °C, presents a wide electrochemical window of 5.2 V (vs. Li+/Li), and shows much more stable lithium deposition at current density of 0.2 mA·cm−2 for 800 h. FEC is driven by Li+ to the damaged interface to form new LiF-rich interface layer, which enables the self-healing of Li-metal and CSSE interface and enhances the electrochemical stability of CSSEs against Li-metal. Li| (LLTO-(PEO-FEC)) |LiFePO 4 cell presents discharge capability of about 115 mAh·g−1 after 100 cycles at 50 °C. This work reveals the mechanism of dendrite-free Li deposition via interface self-healing process under the effect of FEC–Li+ coordination and provides a promising way to prepare the high performances composite solid-state electrolytes and to fabricate the dendrite-free all-solid-state lithium battery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfide-based composite solid-state electrolyte has been deemed as "Holy Grail" for unlocking solid-state lithium metal batteries (SSLMBs) with high-energy density, combining the extremely high ionic conductivity of sulfide and machinability of organic polymer. However, this appealing system is hitherto stymied by two hindrances, difficult to synthesize due to the chemical incompatibility of sulfide with moisture and polar solvents, moreover, interfacial instability with lithium (Li) anode inducing severe Li dendrite grown. Herein, by utilizing perfluoropolyethers as bifunctional adjuvant, we initiatively fabricate sulfide-based composite electrolyte, Poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP)/Li 10 GeP 2 S 12 and assemble SSLMBs. Perfluoropolyethers with low molecular weight facilitate the stable dispersion of Li 10 GeP 2 S 12 in casting solution, ascribed to their strong electronegativity of C–F bonds. In addition, high molecular weight perfluoropolyethers function as interfacial stabilizer, dramatically improving the interfacial compatibility with Li anode by in-situ forming a LiF-rich solid electrolyte interphase layer. This composite electrolyte exhibits high room temperature ionic conductivity (0.18 mS cm−1), outstanding lithium ion transfer number (0.68), good mechanical strength and nonflammability. The solid-state LiFePO 4 ǁLi battery presents superior long-term cycling stability and rate capability. Our study paves a new way for fabricating the sulfide-based composite electrolyte, provides an effective strategy for constructing compatible solid-state electrolyteǁLi interface. Image 1 • PVDF-HFP/Li 10 GeP 2 S 12 electrolyte is prepared by binary solution casting method. • PFPE 500 as dispersing solvents exhibit good chemical compatibility with Li 10 GeP 2 S 12. • A high ion conductivity (σ RT = 10−4 S cm−1) and Li+ transfer number (0.68) are obtained. • PFPEs as interfacial stabilizers enhance the compatibility of Li 10 GeP 2 S 12 with Li. • LiFePO 4 ‖Li battery shows good cycling stability and rate capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]