Understanding Solid Electrolyte-Lithium Interfaces via Operando Multiscale Characterizations

The complex origins of solid-state battery failure call for multidimensional diagnostics utilizing a combination of tools that can quantify the void and dendrite formation, identify the chemical and mechanical natures of the Li dendrites and electrolyte decomposition products. However, there is lack of tools that connect multiple techniques with desirable length scale, resolution and sensitivity for characterizing solid-state batteries. The objective of this talk is to develop an air-free vessel with an in-situ cell test platform connecting FIB-SEM tomography, ToF-SIMS, and in-SEM nanoindentation for structural, chemical, and mechanical characterizations of solid-state Li batteries. We fabricated solid-state micro-cells with electrochemical performance on par with their bulk-type counterparts. Electrochemical tests with precise temperature control, external pressure, and pressure monitoring of thin solid-state cells were demonstrated with structural, chemical and mechanical characterizations.