In Situ Measurement of Buried Electrolyte–Electrode Interfaces for Solid State Batteries with Nanometer Level Precision

Browning, Katie L.; Westover, Andrew S.; Browning, James F.; Doucet, Mathieu; Sacci, Robert L.; Veith, Gabriel M.

doi:10.1021/acsenergylett.3c00488

In Situ Measurement of Buried Electrolyte–Electrode Interfaces for Solid State Batteries with Nanometer Level Precision

Journal Article · Thu Mar 30 00:00:00 EDT 2023 · ACS Energy Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.3c00488· OSTI ID:1976037

Browning, Katie L. ^[1]; ^[1]; ^[2]; ^[2]; ^[1]; ^[1]

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Chemical Sciences Division
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Neutron Scattering Division

Many technologies including high-energy solid-state batteries rely on high quality solid–solid interfaces. Solid–solid interfaces are particularly difficult to study as their nature requires the interface to be buried. Here, in this work, we demonstrate the use of a combination of neutron reflectometry and in situ electrochemistry to measure the interface between Li metal and the solid electrolyte LiPON across an 8 cm² area. Neutron reflectometry measurements confirm the interphase to be less than 7 nm thick. The neutron reflectometry data further emphasize that the interphase that forms is a chemical gradient consisting of a Li-rich layer that gradually decreases in Li content until it blends into pure LiPON. Experimental confirmation that we can make ideal solid–solid interphases less than 10 nm thick will help facilitate the adoption of high efficiency next generation solid state batteries. Further this combination of complementary techniques provides a more general methodology for studying buried solid–solid interfaces across applications.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 1976037

Journal Information:: ACS Energy Letters, Journal Name: ACS Energy Letters Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 8; ISSN 2380-8195

Publisher:: American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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