Characterizing the Li-Li7La3Zr2O12 interface stability and kinetics as a function of temperature and current density

The stability and kinetics of the Li-Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) interface were characterized as a function of temperature and current density. Polycrystalline LLZO was densified using a rapid hot-pressing technique achieving 97 ± 1% relative density, and <10% grain boundary resistance; effectively consisting of an ensemble of single LLZO crystals. It was determined that by heating to 175 °C, the room temperature Li-LLZO interface resistance decreases dramatically from 5822 (as-assembled) to 514 Ω cm2; a > 10-fold decrease. In characterizing the maximum sustainable current density (or critical current density - CCD) of the Li-LLZO interface, several signs of degradation were observed. In DC cycling tests, significant deviation from Ohmic behavior was observed. In post-cycling tests, regions of metallic Li were observed; propagating parallel to the ionic current. For the cells cycled at 30, 70, 100, 130 and 160 °C, the CCD was determined to be 50, 200, 800, 3500, and 20000 μA cm−2, respectively. The relationships and phenomena observed in this work can be used to better understand the Li-LLZO interface stability, enabling the use of batteries employing Li metal anodes.