Advances in Longer-Lasting Anode-Free, All-Solid-State Batteries
Research led by MIE Associate Professor Hongli Zhu is addressing a fundamental challenge in anode-free, all-solid-state batteries: protecting the limited lithium supply that keeps them working. Their findings on “Time-evolved hetero-alkali interphases enable long-life sulfide-based anode-free solid-state batteries” are published in Science Advances, a journal in the Science family.
The battery design combines two features that could support lighter, more compact energy storage. Anode-free batteries begin without a preinstalled lithium-metal negative electrode. Instead, that electrode forms during the first charge, using lithium supplied entirely by the cathode-the positive electrode. All-solid-state batteries use a solid electrolyte to carry lithium ions, replacing the flammable liquid electrolyte found in conventional lithium-ion batteries. Combining these features presents a difficult materials challenge. Newly formed lithium can react with the solid electrolyte, consuming lithium that would otherwise store and deliver energy. Because anode-free batteries have no excess lithium-metal reservoir, even small losses can shorten their operating life.
Zhu’s team investigated how to control the chemistry at the boundary between lithium and the solid electrolyte. A sodium-containing additive helps create an initial fluoride-rich layer that limits harmful reactions. During early cycling, lithium-nitride-rich regions develop, providing more favorable pathways for lithium ions. Understanding this evolution provides a design principle for preserving lithium and improving battery durability.
Abstract:
Sulfide-based anode-free solid-state batteries (AFSSBs) offer high energy density and improved safety, but their practical implementation is hindered by parasitic reactions between freshly plated lithium (Li) and sulfide solid electrolytes. These reactions continuously consume the limited cathode-derived Li inventory, increase interfacial impedance, and promote nonuniform Li plating and stripping. Here, sodium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (NaFSI) is incorporated into Li5.4PS4.4Cl1.6 (LPSC) to kinetically program interphase evolution. Heat treatment initially generates a NaF/LiF-rich interphase on the LPSC surface. This fluoride-rich region chemically stabilizes the interface and suppresses direct LPSC reduction. During the early cycles, the outermost region progressively evolves into a LiF/Li3N-rich layer, while the NaF-containing phase becomes buried beneath the Li-rich surface region, producing a time-evolved compositional gradient. Although NaF provides effective chemical passivation, its poor Li+ conductivity can impede interfacial ion transport. The subsequent formation of Li3N-rich domains, which exhibit substantially higher Li+ conductivity than NaF, provides more favorable transport pathways, homogenizes interfacial Li+ flux, and promotes uniform Li plating and stripping. This time-evolved gradient interphase therefore combines early-stage chemical stabilization and Li conservation with improved long-term ion transport kinetics, suppressing impedance growth, localized inactive Li accumulation, and filamentary shorting. Consequently, the AFSSB using the NaFSI-modified LPSC interlayer retains 77.6% of its capacity after 500 cycles at 0.2 C, whereas the cell with bare LPSC retains only 32.1% after 100 cycles. These findings establish temporally programmed gradient interphases as a general strategy for conserving active Li and stabilizing sulfide-based AFSSBs.