Electrochemical stability and lithium insertion at the Li|Li3OCl solid electrolyte interface

TL;DR

This study uses first-principles calculations to analyze the atomic-scale properties and stability of the Li|Li3OCl interface in solid-state lithium batteries, highlighting Li3OCl's potential as a stable electrolyte.

Contribution

It provides detailed atomic-level insights into the structural and electrochemical stability of the Li|Li3OCl interface, a critical aspect for solid-state battery performance.

Findings

Li|Li3OCl interface exhibits stable structural and electronic characteristics.

Charge redistribution occurs locally near the interface.

Li insertion is energetically unfavorable in most electrolyte layers.

Abstract

Solid-state lithium batteries have attracted considerable attention due to their potential to provide improved safety and higher energy density compared with conventional liquid electrolyte batteries. However, the stability of the interface between Li metal anodes and solid electrolytes remains a critical issue that strongly influences battery performance. In this work, first-principles density functional theory calculations are performed to investigate the interfacial properties of a solid-state battery system composed of Li metal anode and Li3OCl solid electrolyte. The structural stability, electronic structure, and electrochemical behavior of the Li|Li3OCl interface are systematically analyzed. Several interface orientations are constructed and compared in order to identify the most energetically favorable configuration. The electronic properties and interfacial charge redistribution are further examined to understand the nature of the interaction between Li metal and the Li3OCl electrolyte. Our results indicate that the Li|Li3OCl interface exhibits stable structural and electronic characteristics, with localized charge redistribution occurring near the interface region. The electrochemical stability against the insertion of an additional Li atom is also evaluated, showing that Li incorporation is energetically unfavorable in most layers of the electrolyte. These results suggest that the Li3OCl electrolyte maintains good electrochemical stability in contact with Li metal. The present study provides atomic-scale insight into the interfacial behavior of Li|Li3OCl and highlights the potential of Li3OCl as a promising solid electrolyte for solid-state lithium batteries.