Coatable Li4SnS4 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, we report the highly conductive (0.14 mS cm-1) and dry-air-stable SEs, Li4SnS4, which are prepared using a scalable aqueous-solution process. An active material (LiCoO2) coated by solidified Li4SnS4 from aqueous solutions results in a significant improvement in the electrochemical performance of ASLBs. Side effect by the exposure of LiCoO2 to aqueous solutions is minimized by using predissolved Li4SnS4 solution.