Editors' Choice—Understanding Chemical Stability Issues between Different Solid Electrolytes in All-Solid-State Batteries

Sulfide-based solid electrolytes (SE) are quite attractive for application in all-solid-state batteries (ASSB) due to their high ionic conductivities and low grain boundary resistance. However, limited chemical and electrochemical stability demands for protection on both cathode and anode side. One promising concept to prevent unwanted reactions and simultaneously improve interfacial contacting at the anode side consists in applying a thin polymer film as interlayer between Li metal and the SE. In the present study, we investigated the combination of polyethylene oxide (PEO) based polymer films with the sulfide-based SE Li10SnP2S12 (LSPS). We analyzed their compatibility using both electrochemical and chemical techniques. A steady increase in the cell resistance during calendar aging indicated decomposition reactions at the interfaces. By means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and further analytical methods, the formation of polysulfides, P–[S]n–P like bridged PS43− units and sulfite, SO32−, was demonstrated. We critically discuss potential reasons and propose a plausible mechanism for the degradation of LSPS with PEO. The main objective of this paper is to highlight the importance of understanding interfaces in ASSBs not only from an electrochemical perspective, but also from a chemical point of view.