Three- and four-electrode EIS analysis of water stable lithium electrode with solid electrolyte plate

The properties of interfaces of water-stable lithium electrode have been investigated by EIS in Li–air batteries and four-electrode test-cells. The water-stable lithium electrode was prepared with the protection of NASICON-type glass–ceramic plate [0.8Li2O·0.25Al2O3·1.5GeO2·1.5P2O5 glass–ceramic (LAGP)]. The glass–ceramic plates are water-stable and 200–500 μm thick with ion-conductivity of 4 × 10−4 S cm−1. In Li–air batteries, the AC impedance spectra of LAGP protected lithium electrode contained two semicircles and became three after one week. The composition of impedance of LAGP protected lithium electrode was analyzed, by comparison on the impedance spectra of LAGP protected lithium electrode and bare Li metal electrode in organic electrolyte. Furthermore, in four-electrode test-cell which excluded the LAGP|aqueous-solution interface, the interface impedance of LAGP plate was analyzed. And then by the analysis of impedance, the Li|organic-electrolyte interface caused the main impedance of the water-stable lithium electrode during the discharge. The impedance of water-stable lithium electrode should be decreased by the study of new electrolyte and interface modification.

► The water stable lithium electrodes (WSLE) were prepared with Li2O·Al2O3·GeO2·P2O5 (LAGP) glass–ceramic by a simple way. ► The EIS of WSLE were measured and discussed in hybrid electrolyte Li–air batteries with a SCE reference. ► The EIS of each interface of WSLE were studied in four-electrode test-cell with two lithium reference and a lithium counter electrode. ► The EIS of polarized WSLE were studied to find out the main discharge impedance.