Understanding the Role of Borohydride Doping in Electrochemical Stability of Argyrodite Li₆PS₅Cl Solid-State Electrolyte

This work elucidates the mechanism by which lithium borohydride (LiBH₄) doping into argyrodite-type Li₆PS₅Cl (LBH-LPSCl) solid-state electrolyte (SSE) enhances electrochemical stability. State-of-the-art electrochemical performance is achieved with 5 wt% borohydride. Symmetric cells achieve critical current density (CCD) of 7.3 mA cm⁻², versus 2.6 mA cm⁻² for baseline-LPSCl. All solid-state batteries (ASSBs) employing lithium metal and NMC811 cathode are stable over 400 cycles at 0.5C, with capacity retention of 83%. An anode-free ASSB (AF-ASSB) is stable over 600 cycles, with capacity loss of 0.04% per cycle. 5LBH-LPSCl allows for enhanced low temperature operation, down to −14 °C. Yet the difference in electrolytes’ bulk microstructures and hardnesses are minimal, while ionic conductivity is incrementally improved (≈50%). Theoretical modeling indicates limited effect of substitution on thermodynamic stability of PS₄³⁻ units, which decompose when contacting Li. Instead, enhanced electrochemical stability is site-specific kinetic effect: In situ electrodeposition experiments using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) reveal tri-layer SEI based predominately on Li₃P/LiBH₄/Li₂S that blocks electrons while facilitating ion transport. This SEI manifests reduced interface resistance and accelerated nucleation and growth of metallic Li. With baseline-LPSCl the SEI based on Li₃P/Li₂S is substantially thicker, generating localized stresses that promote interfacial cracking while cycling.