Mechanism of Lithium Metal Penetration through Inorganic Solid Electrolytes

Abstract Li deposition is observed and measured on a solid electrolyte in the vicinity of a metallic current collector. Four types of ion‐conducting, inorganic solid electrolytes are tested: Amorphous 70/30 mol% Li 2 S‐P 2 S 5 , polycrystalline β‐Li 3 PS 4 , and polycrystalline and single‐crystalline Li 6 La 3 ZrTaO 12 garnet. The nature of lithium plating depends on the proximity of the current collector to defects such as surface cracks and on the current density. Lithium plating penetrates/infiltrates at defects, but only above a critical current density. Eventually, infiltration results in a short circuit between the current collector and the Li‐source (anode). These results do not depend on the…

• BE
  Basic Energy Sciences

  Awards: DE‐SC0002633, DE‐FG02‐10ER46771