Understanding and Mitigating Interfacial Constraints in Solid-State Electrolyte Systems

Solid-state batteries (SSBs) are widely regarded as promising candidates for next-generation energy storage systems due to their inherent safety and high energy density, making them ideally suited for transportation applications such as electric vehicles. While extensive efforts have been devoted to developing solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) with high ionic conductivity and broad electrochemical stability windows, the cycling life and power density of SSBs still fall short of commercial requirements. These limitations are primarily attributed to electrochemical and mechanical failures at the interfaces during battery operation. The overall performance of SSBs is not solely determined by the properties of the SSEs themselves, such as conductivity and stability, but is critically influenced by the interfacial compatibility between the SSEs and the electrodes (both cathode and anode), as well as the interparticle interfaces within the electrolyte. Therefore, advancing interfacial engineering and enhancing ion transport across these interfaces are essential for the continued development and practical deployment of SSBs technologies.