Universal Solution Synthesis of Sulfide Solid Electrolytes Using Alkahest for All-Solid-State Batteries

The wet-chemical processability of sulfide solid electrolytes (SEs) provides intriguing opportunities for all-solid-state batteries. Thus far, sulfide SEs are wet-prepared either from solid precursors suspended in solvents (suspension synthesis) or from homogeneous solutions using SEs (solution process) with restricted composition spaces. Here, a universal solution synthesis method for preparing sulfide SEs from precursors, not only Li2S, P2S5, LiCl, and Na2S, but also metal sulfides (e.g., GeS2 and SnS2), fully dissolved in an alkahest: a mixture solvent of 1,2-ethylenediamine (EDA) and 1,2-ethanedithiol (EDT) (or ethanethiol). Raman spectroscopy and theoretical calculations reveal that the exceptional dissolving power of EDA-EDT toward GeS2 is due to the nucleophilicity of the thiolate anions that is strong enough to dissociate the Ge-S bonds. Solution-synthesized Li10GeP2S12, Li6PS5Cl, and Na11Sn2PS12 exhibit high ionic conductivities (0.74, 1.3, and 0.10 mS cm(-1) at 30 degrees C, respectively), and their application for all-solid-state batteries is successfully demonstrated.

Automated summary

The wet-chemical processability of sulfide solid electrolytes (SEs) presents a promising opportunity for all-solid-state batteries. This study introduces a universal solution synthesis method for preparing sulfide SEs from various precursors, including Li2S, P2S5, LiCl, Na2S, as well as metal sulfides such as GeS2 and SnS2. The solution-synthesized sulfide SEs exhibit high ionic conductivities and show potential for application in all-solid-state batteries.