The major challenges for the development of all solid-state batteries (ASSBs), that would be cheaper and can be charged and discharged faster, are stable solid electrolytes and robust interfacial design. We report the dual ion conduction capability of Na-based NASICON type super ion conductor materials using Na_1+xMn_x/2Zr_2-x/2(PO₄)₃ (NMZP) as a candidate system [1]. This method enables the use of Na-based NASICON material family in both Na as well as Li all solid-state batteries (Figure 1a). The ionic conductivity NZMPs increased as the x value increased and x = 2 showed the highest room temperature conductivities. Crystallographic analysis using neutron diffraction revealed that conductivities observed in these materials are related to the variations in the Na-O bond length and the concentration of mobile sodium content. Using Galvano static plating and stripping tests, we show that these NMZPs boast good cycling stability against both Na and Li metals which also reveals dual ion conduction. Mechanistic investigations through postmortem SEM/EDS and XPS characterizations of the alkali metal and the cycled NMZPs confirm that the Na-Li ion exchange occurs readily in these materials when electrochemically cycled. ASSBs have several interfaces and the interface properties vary depending on the contact condition, energy states, type defects, and chemical/electrochemical stability. ASSB life and performance rely largely on these interfaces since dendrite formation, Li-depleted space-charge layer generation, and spatial variation in interfacial adhesion originate at the interfaces, which leads to battery failure. Stabilizing Li | SE interface is crucial for the development of high-energy-density solid-state batteries. Current approaches in Li metal stabilization employ energy and cost-intensive protocols that have a detrimental impact on the techno-economic feasibility of the ASSBs. This presentation will focus on the facile, electrochemical protocol for improving the interfacial impedance and contact at the Li | Li_6.25Al_0.25La₃Zr₂O₁₂ (LALZO) interface. Implementation of a fraction of second short duration high voltage pulse to a poorly formed interface leads to a sustained improvement in contact impedance and lower overpotentials for electrodeposition and electro-dissolution [2] (Figure 1b). This high pulse protocol does not induce the formation of dendrites on the symmetric cells. This electrochemical protocol has direct application in battery formation cycles as well as online management systems for ASSBs.

Reference

[1]. A. Parejiya, R. Essehli, R. Amin, J. Liu, N. Muralidharan, H. M. Meyer, III, D. L. Wood, III, and I. Belharouak, ACS Energy Letters 6 (2021) 429.

[2]. A. Parejiya, R. Amin, M.B. Dixit, R. Essehli, C. Jafta, D.L. Wood, and I. Belharouak., ACS Energy Lett. 6 (2021) 3669.