Ion-Conductive Dispersant Enabling Scalable Wet-Processed Composite Electrodes for High Performance All-Solid-State...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Battery Technology

Background:

• All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) offer enhanced safety and energy density over Li-ion batteries.
• Scalable fabrication of dense composite electrodes is a critical bottleneck for ASSB commercialization.
• Existing methods struggle to balance electrode density, ionic conductivity, and electronic percolation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel ion-conductive dispersant strategy for sulfide-based composite electrodes.
• To demonstrate the efficacy of lithium dioctyl sulfosuccinate (Li-AOT) as an ion-conductive dispersant.
• To enable scalable slurry-based processing for high-performance ASSBs.

Main Methods:

• Design and synthesis of Li-AOT with specific headgroup and alkyl chain properties.
• Characterization of Li-AOT's solubility, affinity for sulfide electrolytes, and impact on ionic conductivity.
• Fabrication and electrochemical testing of high-loading composite cathodes using Li-AOT.

Main Results:

• Li-AOT integrates into the Li+ conduction network, unlike conventional surfactants.
• It enhances electronic percolation through uniform carbon nanotube dispersion.
• Achieved dense, void-lean microstructures with reduced interfacial resistance and polarization.
• Demonstrated improved rate capability in high-loading composite cathodes (20 mg cm-2).

Conclusions:

• Li-AOT serves as an effective ion-conductive dispersant for sulfide-based composite electrodes.
• This strategy provides a scalable pathway for slurry-based wet processing of ASSBs.
• The developed design paradigm offers a generalizable approach for future ASSB electrode development.