Epitaxial Growth of Nanostructured Li2Se on Lithium Metal for All Solid-State Batteries

Lithium is considered to be the ultimate anode material for high energy-density rechargeable batteries. Recent emerging technologies of all solid-state batteries based on sulfide-based electrolytes raise hope for the practical use of lithium, as it is likely to suppress lithium dendrite growth. However, such devices suffer from undesirable side reactions and a degradation of electrochemical performance. In this work, nanostructured Li2Se epitaxially grown on Li metal by chemical vapor deposition are investigated as a protective layer. By adjusting reaction time and cooling rate, a morphology of as-prepared Li2Se is controlled, resulting in nanoparticles, nanorods, or nanowalls with a dominant (220) plane parallel to the (110) plane of the Li metal substrate. Uniaxial pressing the layers under a pressure of 50 MPa for a cell preparation transforms more compact and denser. Dual compatibility of the Li2Se layers with strong chemical bonds to Li metal and uniform physical contact to a Li(6)PS(5)Csulfide electrolyte prevents undesirable side reactions and enables a homogeneous charge transfer at the interface upon cycling. As a result, a full cell coupled with a LiCoO2-based cathode shows significantly enhanced electrochemical performance and demonstrates the practical use of Li anodes with Li2Se layers for all solid-state battery applications.

Automated summary

By growing nanostructured Li2Se on Li metal using chemical vapor deposition, this study demonstrates the protective effect of Li2Se layers on lithium anodes in all solid-state batteries, leading to significantly enhanced electrochemical performance of the batteries. The dual compatibility of Li2Se layers with Li metal and the sulfide electrolyte prevents undesirable side reactions and promotes homogeneous charge transfer during cycling.