Coatable Li4 SnS4 Solid Electrolytes Prepared from Aqueous Solutions for All-Solid-State Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Bulk-type all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries (ASLBs) for large-scale energy-storage applications have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to their superior safety. However, the electrochemical performance of bulk-type ASLBs is critically limited by the low ionic conductivity of solid electrolytes (SEs) and poor ionic contact between the active materials and SEs. Herein, highly conductive (0.14 mS cm^-1 ) and dry-air-stable SEs (Li₄ SnS₄ ) are reported, which are prepared using a scalable aqueous-solution process. An active material (LiCoO₂ ) coated by solidified Li₄ SnS₄ from aqueous solutions results in a significant improvement in the electrochemical performance of ASLBs. Side-effects of the exposure of LiCoO₂ to aqueous solutions are minimized by using predissolved Li₄ SnS₄ solution.

Keywords: batteries; conductivity; solid electrolytes; solution processes; sulfides.