Visualizing the Chemical Incompatibility of Halide and Sulfide-Based Electrolytes in Solid-State Batteries

Halide-based solid electrolytes are currently growing in interest in solid-state batteries due to their high electrochemical stability window compared to sulfide electrolytes. However, often a bilayer separator of a sulfide and a halide is used and it is unclear why such setup is necessary, besides the instability of the halides against lithium metal. It is shown that an electrolyte bilayer improves the capacity retention as it suppresses interfacial resistance growth monitored by impedance spectroscopy. By using in-depth analytical characterization of buried interphases by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy analyses, an indium-sulfide rich region is detected at the halide and sulfide contact area, visualizing the chemical incompatibility of these two electrolytes. The results highlight the need to consider more than just the electrochemical stability of electrolyte materials, showing that chemical compatibility of all components may be paramount when using halide-based solid electrolytes in solid-state batteries.

Automated summary

Halide-based solid electrolytes are gaining interest in solid-state batteries due to their higher electrochemical stability compared to sulfide electrolytes. However, the use of a bilayer separator consisting of a sulfide and a halide is not well understood. This study shows that an electrolyte bilayer improves capacity retention by suppressing interfacial resistance growth. Analytical characterization techniques reveal the chemical incompatibility at the halide and sulfide contact area, emphasizing the importance of considering the chemical compatibility of all components when using halide-based solid electrolytes in solid-state batteries.