All-solid-state lithium metal batteries for next generation energy storage

Lithium metal dendrite growth in ultra-high capacity batteries continues to prevent the safe use of Li metal as the negative electrode. Solid-state materials demonstrate superior stability against lithium metal, however, our recent efforts to develop high energy density batteries based upon the Li₂S-P₂S₅ solid phase electrolyte short-circuit at currents above about 1.5 mA due to dendrite formation between the electrodes. Preliminary results indicate that the solid phase electrolyte can support reversible, high current (> 1.5 mA) and high rate (> C/10) cycling at 100°C without short-circuiting, thus indicating that solid-state lithium metal batteries should be evaluated for elevated temperature applications.