Abstract
We demonstrate for the first time the critical influence of binder molecular weight on the performance of slurry-cast lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) cathodes in sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries (SSBs). SSBs are increasingly recognized as a safer and potentially more efficient alternative to traditional Li-ion batteries, owing to the superior ionic conductivities and inherent safety features of sulfide solid electrolytes. However, the integration of high-voltage NMC cathodes with sheet-type sulfide solid electrolytes presents significant fabrication challenges. Our findings reveal that higher molecular weight binders not only enhance the discharge capacity and cycle life of these cathodes but also ensure robust adhesion and structural integrity. By optimizing binder molecular weights, we effectively shield the active materials from degradation and mechanical stress, significantly boosting the functionality and longevity of SSBs. These results underscore the paramount importance of binder properties in advancing the practical application of high-performance all-solid-state batteries.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e12858 |
| Journal | Energy and Environmental Materials |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - May 2025 |
Funding
Y.L. and C.K. contributed equally to this work. This research was conducted at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, managed by UT Battelle, LLC, for the US Department of Energy (DOE) and is partially sponsored by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) in the Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) through the Advanced Battery Materials Research (BMR) Program, managed by Drs. Simon Thompson and Tien Duong. This manuscript has been authored by UT-Battelle, LLC under Contract No. DE-AC05-00OR22725 with the US Department of Energy. Additionally, the authors thank Drs. Anna Mills, Daniel Hallinan, and Thomas A. Zawodzinski for fruitful discussions. Some of the results shown were conducted as part of a user project at the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS), a US Department of Energy, Office of Science User Facility, located at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This manuscript has been authored by UT-Battelle, LLC, under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725 with the US Department of Energy (DOE). The United States Government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the United States Government retains a non-exclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, worldwide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript or allow others to do so, for United States Government purposes. The Department of Energy will provide public access to these results of federally sponsored research in accordance with the DOE Public Access Plan (http://energy.gov/downloads/doe-public-access-plan).
Keywords
- NMC cathode
- binders
- sheet-type sulfide solid electrolyte
- slurry cast
- solid-state battery