In order for all solid-state batteries (ASSBs), which have superior stability and high energy density compared to commercial Li-ion batteries (conventional LIB), to achieve excellent cycle performance, understanding of the interfacial phenomena in the...
In order for all solid-state batteries (ASSBs), which have superior stability and high energy density compared to commercial Li-ion batteries (conventional LIB), to achieve excellent cycle performance, understanding of the interfacial phenomena in the composite cathode must be prioritized. We clearly identified the microstructure of the composite cathode composed of Li(Ni0.7Co0.15Mn0.15)O2 (NCM), Li6PS5Cl0.5Br0.5 (sulfide solid state electrolyte, SSE), binder, and conductive material, and investigated that the composite cathode achieves excellent cycle performance by recovering cracks spontaneously under the stack pressure applied during charge and discharge. The stack pressure could significantly reduce the macrocracks generated when the pressure applied to the battery cell during electrode manufacturing process was removed, and mechanically recover the ionic and electric conductive pathways between the electrode materials of the composite cathode. In addition, during the charge and discharge process, the SSE adjacent to the NCM was decomposed and passed through the binder with a passivation layer (cathode electrolyte interface (CEI)) composed of carbon, sulfur, bromine, and oxygen was formed at the interface between the NCM and the binder. In particular, sulfur and carbon fill the microcracks inside the NCM, which are known as the fatal weaknesses of ASSBs, and electrically recovers NCM. That is, the stack pressure not only mechanically recovers cracks occurring in the composite cathode, but also chemically forms CEI and plays a key role in maintaining the conductive pathways of the cathode. Understanding the recovering behavior of macro and microcracks in the composite cathode, the main factor occurring the capacity degradation of ASSBs, could provide insights for designing ASSBs with sustainable cycle performance.