Mastering the interface for advanced all-solid-state lithium rechargeable batteries

Significance Realization of a safe, low-cost rechargeable lithium battery of high energy density and long cycle life is needed for powering an electric road vehicle and for storing electric power generated by solar or wind energy. This urgent need has prompted efforts to develop a solid electrolyte with an alkali metal anode. Only now is it recognized that the key requirement is wetting of the electrolyte surface by the alkali-metal anode. We report a full rechargeable cell with a solid electrolyte that, although it is reduced by metallic lithium, forms a thin lithium–electrolyte interface that is wet by the anode and wets the electrolyte to give a small Li + transfer resistance across the interface.