Solvent‐Free Synthesis of Thin, Flexible, Nonflammable Garnet‐Based Composite Solid Electrolyte for All‐Solid‐State Lithium Batteries

Abstract

Thin solid‐state electrolytes with nonflammability, high ionic conductivity, low interfacial resistance, and good processability are urgently required for next‐generation safe, high energy density lithium metal batteries. Here, a 3D Li 6.75 La 3 Zr 1.75 Ta 0.25 O 12 (LLZTO) self‐supporting framework interconnected by polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) binder is prepared through a simple grinding method without any solvent. Subsequently, a garnet‐based composite electrolyte is achieved through filling the flexible 3D LLZTO framework with a succinonitrile solid electrolyte. Due to the high content of garnet ceramic (80.4 wt%) and high heat‐resistance of the PTFE binder, such a composite electrolyte film with nonflammability and high processability exhibits a wide electrochemical window of 4.8 V versus Li/Li+ and high ionic transference number of 0.53. The continuous Li+ transfer channels between interconnected LLZTO particles and succinonitrile, and the soft electrolyte/electrode interface jointly contribute to a high ambient‐temperature ionic conductivity of 1.2 × 10−4 S cm−1 and excellent long‐term stability of the Li symmetric battery (stable at a current density of 0.1 mA cm−2 for over 500 h). Furthermore, as‐prepared LiFePO 4|Li and LiNi 0.5 Mn 0.3 Co 0.2 O 2|Li batteries based on the thin composite electrolyte exhibit high discharge specific capacities of 153 and 158 mAh g−1 respectively, and desirable cyclic stabilities at room temperature.