Solid-State Li-Metal Batteries: Challenges and Horizons of Oxide and Sulfide Solid Electrolytes and Their Interfaces

The introduction of new, safe, and reliable solid-electrolyte chemistries and technologies can potentially overcome the challenges facing their liquid counterparts while widening the breadth of possible applications. Through tech-historic evolution and rationally analyzing the transition from liquid-based Li-ion batteries (LIBs) to all-solid-state Li-metal batteries (ASSLBs), a roadmap for the development of a successful oxide and sulfide-based ASSLB focusing on interfacial challenges is introduced, while accounting for five parameters: energy density, power density, longterm stability, processing, and safety. First taking a strategic approach, this review dismantles the ASSLB into its three major components and discusses the most promising solid electrolytes and their most advantageous pairing options with oxide cathode materials and the Li metal anode. A thorough analysis of the chemical, electrochemical, and mechanical properties of the two most promising and investigated classes of inorganic solid electrolytes, namely oxides and sulfides, is presented. Next, the overriding challenges associated with the pairing of the solid electrolyte with oxide-based cathodes and a Li-metal anode, leading to limited performance for solid-state batteries are extensively addressed and possible strategies to mitigate these issues are presented. Finally, future perspectives, guidelines, and selective interface engineering strategies toward the resolution of these challenges are analyzed and discussed.