An electron-blocking interface for garnet-based quasi-solid-state lithium-metal batteries to improve lifespan.

Garnet oxide is one of the most promising solid electrolytes for solid-state lithium metal batteries. However, the traditional interface modification layers cannot completely block electron migrating from the current collector to the interior of the solid-state electrolyte, which promotes the penetration of lithium dendrites. In this work, a highly electron-blocking interlayer composed of potassium fluoride (KF) is deposited on garnet oxide Li_6.4La₃Zr_1.4Ta_0.6O₁₂ (LLZTO). After reacting with melted lithium metal, KF in-situ transforms to KF/LiF interlayer, which can block the electron leakage and inhibit lithium dendrite growth. The Li symmetric cells using the interlayer show a long cycle life of ~3000 hours at 0.2 mA cm⁻² and over 350 hours at 0.5 mA cm⁻² respectively. Moreover, an ionic liquid of LiTFSI in C₄mim-TFSI is screened to wet the LLZTO|LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ (NCM) positive electrode interfaces. The Li|KF-LLZTO | NCM cells present a specific capacity of 109.3 mAh g⁻¹, long lifespan of 3500 cycles and capacity retention of 72.5% at 25 °C and 2 C (380 mA g⁻¹) with an average coulombic efficiency of 99.99%. This work provides a simple and integrated strategy on high-performance quasi-solid-state lithium metal batteries. Formation of dendrites in solid-state lithium batteries hampers their application. Here, authors deposit a thin film of potassium fluoride on a garnet solid electrolyte that in-situ transforms to a mixed fluoride layer, which blocks electron leakage and inhibits lithium dendrite growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]