Li2S-Based Composite Cathode with in Situ-Generated Li3PS4 Electrolyte on Li2S for Advanced All-Solid-State Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

All-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries (ASSLSBs) are considered to be a promising solution for the next generation of energy storage systems due to their high theoretical energy density and improved safety. However, the practical application of ASSLSBs is hindered by several critical challenges, including the poor electrode/electrolyte interface, sluggish electrochemical kinetics of solid-solid conversion between S and Li2S in the cathode, and big volume changes during cycling. Herein, the 85(92Li2S-8P2S5)-15AB composite cathode featuring an integrated structure of a Li2S active material and Li3PS4 solid electrolyte is developed by in situ generating a Li3PS4 glassy electrolyte on Li2S active materials, resulting from a reaction between Li2S and P2S5. The well-established composite cathode structure with an enhanced electrode/electrolyte interfacial contact and highly efficient ion/electron transport networks enables a significant enhancement of redox kinetics and an areal Li2S loading for ASSLSBs. The 85(92Li2S-8P2S5)-15AB composite demonstrates superior electrochemical performance, exhibiting 98% high utilization of Li2S (1141.7 mAh g(Li2S)-1) with both a high Li2S active material content of 44 wt % and corresponding areal loading of 6 mg cm-2. Moreover, the excellent electrochemical activity can be maintained even at an ultrahigh areal Li2S loading of 12 mg cm-2 with a high reversible capacity of 880.3 mAh g-1, corresponding to an areal capacity of 10.6 mAh cm-2. This study provides a simple and facile strategy to a rational design for the composite cathode structure achieving fast Li-S reaction kinetics for high-performance ASSLSBs.

Automated summary

In this study, an 85(92Li2S-8P2S5)-15AB composite cathode was developed by generating a Li3PS4 glassy electrolyte on Li2S active materials, resulting in enhanced electrode/electrolyte contact and ion/electron transport. The composite demonstrated superior electrochemical performance with high utilization of Li2S and a high reversible capacity even at high Li2S loading.