Surface molecular engineering to enable processing of sulfide solid electrolytes in humid ambient air
2024

Protecting Solid Electrolytes from Humidity

publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Liu Mengchen, Hong Jessica J., Sebti Elias, Zhou Ke, Wang Shen, Feng Shijie, Pennebaker Tyler, Hui Zeyu, Miao Qiushi, Lu Ershuang, Harpak Nimrod, Yu Sicen, Zhou Jianbin, Oh Jeong Woo, Song Min-Sang, Luo Jian, Clément Raphaële J., Liu Ping

Primary Institution: University of California San Diego

Hypothesis

Can a reversible surface modification strategy using 1-undecanethiol improve the processability of sulfide solid-state electrolytes under humid conditions?

Conclusion

The study demonstrates that 1-undecanethiol effectively protects sulfide solid-state electrolytes from moisture, maintaining their ionic conductivity for extended periods.

Supporting Evidence

  • The thiol modification extends the exposure time of sulfide solid-state electrolytes to humid air with limited degradation.
  • Modified electrolytes maintained ionic conductivity above 1 mS cm-1 for up to 2 days in 33% relative humidity.
  • 1-undecanethiol forms a hydrophobic shield that repels water, protecting the electrolyte.
  • The study shows a more than 100-fold improvement in protection time over previous methods.
  • Structural analysis indicates that the protective layer does not disrupt the ionic conduction properties of the electrolyte.

Takeaway

Scientists found a way to keep special battery materials safe from water by using a special chemical that forms a protective layer around them.

Methodology

The study involved surface modification of sulfide solid-state electrolytes with 1-undecanethiol and testing their stability and conductivity under humid conditions.

Limitations

The practical implementation of using thiol requires scale-up and cost reduction.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/s41467-024-55634-8

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