Fast Solid-State Li Ion Conducting Garnet-Type Structure Metal Oxides for Energy Storage

Lithium ion batteries are the most promising energy storage system on the market today; however, safety issues associated with the use of flammable organic polymer-based electrolytes with poor electrochemical and chemical stabilities prevent this technology from reaching maturity. Solid lithium ion electrolytes (SLIEs) are being considered as potential replacements for the organic electrolytes to develop all-solid-state Li ion batteries. Out of the recently discovered SLIEs, the garnet-related structured Li-stuffed metal oxides are the most promising electrolytes due to their high total (bulk + grain boundary) Li ion conductivity, high electrochemical stability window (similar to 6 V versus Li+/Li at room temperature), and chemical stability against reaction with an elemental Li anode and high-voltage metal oxide Li cathodes. This Perspective discusses the structuralchemical compositionionic conductivity relationship of Li-stuffed garnets, followed by a discussion on the Li ion conduction mechanism, as well as the electrochemical and chemical stability of these materials. The performance of a number of all-solid-state batteries employing garnet-type Li ion electrolytes is also discussed.