Anode-free All-solid-state batteries, and silver particle distribution

Solid-state batteries can outperform lithium-ion batteries in energy per unit mass or volume when operating with a Li metal anode.  The latter, however, pose significant manufacturing challenges.  Anode-free cells avoid these challenges by plating metallic Li at the anode on the first charge, but subsequent non-uniform cyclic stripping and plating decrease the Coulombic efficiency and encourage Li dendrites and early cell failure.

In the paper 'Effect of silver particle distribution in a carbon nanocomposite interlayer on lithium plating in anode-free all-solid-state batteries', published in Energy, Environmental, and Catalysis Applications, the authors report a new spray-printed nanocomposite bilayer of silver/carbon black (Ag/CB) between anodic current collectors and a Li₆PS₅CI solid electrolyte comprising an Ag-rich region at the current collector and CB-rich region at the solid electrolyte.

Compared with previous Ag/CB mixtures, this bilayer promoted more uniform Li anode plating and improved cycling.  Cells with a high-Ni oxide cathode had an initial discharge capacity of >190 mAh/g and a Coulombic efficiency of >98% over 100 cycles.  Improved Li plating uniformity with the structured Ag/CB interlayer was confirmed by using secondary-ion mass spectometry (SIMS) imaging.