Highly electrochemically stable Li2B12H12-Al2O3 nanocomposite electrolyte enabling A 3.8 V room-temperature all-solid-state Li-ion battery

Designing solid electrolytes for all-solid-state lithium batteries that can be compatible with high-voltage cathodes is challenging. Here we report that the nanocomposite Li2B12H12-Al2O3 mechano-chemically treated for 120 h achieves an electrochemical stability window up to similar to 3.8 V owing to the interfacial interaction via B-O bonds and a high lithium ionic conductivity, Sigma(Li+) = 2.73 x 10-5 S cm-1 at 30 degrees C. Moreover, this electrolyte shows high compatibility with the lithium metal anode as demonstrated by stable Li plating/stripping for 300 cycles. These electrolyte properties enable the first demonstration of a 3.8 V all-solid-state battery In1.3Li0.3|Li2B12H12-Al2O3 (25 vol%)|LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) operating for 120 cycles with a rate of 0.2 C and at 30 degrees C, with a reversible specific capacity of 77.5 mAh g-1 and Coulombic efficiency of 99.8 %. The results demonstrate the potential of hydroborates as electrolyte for all-solid-state lithium batteries.(c) 2022 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

Designing solid electrolytes compatible with high-voltage cathodes for all-solid-state lithium batteries is challenging. In this study, a nanocomposite Li2B12H12-Al2O3 was treated for 120 hours, resulting in an electrochemical stability window up to approximately 3.8 V and a high lithium ionic conductivity of Sigma(Li+) = 2.73 x 10-5 S cm-1 at 30 degrees C due to the interfacial interaction via B-O bonds. The electrolyte also exhibited compatibility with the lithium metal anode, demonstrating stable Li plating/stripping for 300 cycles.