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Enabling Moisture and Interfacial Stability in Sulfide Solid Electrolytes via a Processable Organic Coating Strategy
Lanting Qian1, Cameron Dean1, Ivan Kochetkov1
1Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|June 30, 2026
Summary
A new decanoate fatty-acid coating for sulfide solid electrolytes (SEs) enhances stability against moisture and improves battery performance. This simple, cost-effective strategy advances the commercial viability of solid-state batteries (SSBs).
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Battery Technology
Background:
- Sulfide solid electrolytes (SEs) are promising for solid-state batteries (SSBs) due to their high ionic conductivity.
- However, SEs suffer from poor moisture sensitivity and limited oxidative stability, hindering practical applications.
- These limitations necessitate advanced strategies for SE stabilization and integration into high-performance batteries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simple and cost-effective coating strategy for argyrodite (Li6PS5Cl, LPSCl) SEs.
- To enhance the moisture and oxidative stability of LPSCl.
- To improve the electrochemical performance and cycling stability of SSBs utilizing coated LPSCl.
Main Methods:
- A decanoate fatty-acid (DA) coating was applied to argyrodite LPSCl.
- Coated (DA-LPSCl) and bare LPSCl were subjected to moisture exposure tests.
- Electrochemical performance was evaluated using Li-In anode cells, Li symmetric cells, and Li metal anode full cells.
- Cycling stability and capacity retention were assessed at various C-rates.
Main Results:
- The DA coating stabilized LPSCl against 39% relative humidity for up to 2 hours, preserving its structure and ionic conductivity.
- Cells with 2 wt% DA-LPSCl demonstrated improved capacity retention (96% over 150 cycles) compared to bare LPSCl (61%).
- Symmetric Li|DA-LPSCl|Li cells exhibited significantly enhanced cycling life (1000 h vs. ~230 h for bare LPSCl).
- Full cells with Li metal anodes showed 81% capacity retention after 300 cycles at 0.2 C, with high-loading cells achieving 3.2 mAh cm-2.
Conclusions:
- The decanoate fatty-acid coating is a simple, cost-effective method to enhance the stability and performance of sulfide solid electrolytes.
- This strategy addresses key limitations of SEs, paving the way for more robust and commercially viable solid-state batteries.
- The coated SEs demonstrate potential for high-energy-density applications, including those utilizing lithium metal anodes.
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