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Published on: November 11, 2013
Li2CO3-Derived Low-Cost Li2S for Sulfide Solid Electrolytes Exceeding 11 mS cm-1
Mengfei Zhu1,2,3, Shengjie Xia1,2,4, Chao Wang1,2
1Eastern Institute for Advanced Study, Ningbo Institute of Digital Twin, Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo, China.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|May 13, 2026
Summary
A new method uses lithium carbonate to create low-cost lithium sulfide for solid electrolytes in all-solid-state batteries. This significantly reduces costs and enables high-performance battery applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Sulfide solid electrolytes (SSEs) are promising for all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) due to high ionic conductivity and deformability.
- The high cost of lithium sulfide (Li2S), a key SSE component, hinders practical ASSB applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a cost-effective method for producing high-quality lithium sulfide (Li2S).
- To synthesize SSEs using the novel Li2S and evaluate their performance in ASSBs.
Main Methods:
- A novel reaction between lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) and ammonium thiocyanate (NH4SCN) to produce Li2S with gaseous by-products.
- Synthesis of SSEs, including Li5.4PS4.6Cl0.8Br0.8 (LPSCB) and Li5.4PS4.6Cl1.6 (LPSC).
- Fabrication and testing of ASSBs using synthesized SSEs and a LiNbO3-coated cathode.
Main Results:
- The Li2CO3-derived Li2S enabled the synthesis of SSEs with ionic conductivities of 11.33 mS cm-1 (LPSCB) and 7.94 mS cm-1 (LPSC).
- ASSBs achieved high discharge capacities (192.2–198.8 mAh g-1) and excellent cycling stability (94.85–94.89% retention after 800 cycles).
- Cost analysis showed a significant reduction in SSE costs by 86.6%–88.5%.
Conclusions:
- The developed Li2S production method offers a scalable and cost-effective route for SSE synthesis.
- This advancement significantly lowers the economic barrier for commercializing SSEs and ASSBs.
- The study highlights the techno-economic advantages for widespread adoption of ASSB technology.
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