Improved interfacial li-ion transport in composite polymer electrolytes via surface modification of LLZO

Composite polymer electrolytes that incorporate ceramic fillers in a polymer matrix offer mechanical strength and flexibility as solid electrolytes for lithium metal batteries. However, fast Li+ transport between polymer and Li+-conductive filler phases is not a simple achievement due to high barriers for Li+ exchange across the interphase. This study demonstrates how modification of Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) nanofiller surfaces with silane chemistries influences Li+ transport at local and global electrolyte scales. Anhydrous reactions covalently link amine-functionalized silanes [(3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES)] to LLZO nanoparticles, which protects LLZO in air. APTES functionalization lowers the poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO)-LLZO interphase resistance to half that of unmodified LLZO and increases effective Li+ transference number, while insulating Al2O3 completely blocks ion exchange and lowers transference number and conductivity in PEO-lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI)-LLZO composites. Modeling an inner resistive interphase between LLZO and PEO surrounded by an outer conductive interphase explains non-linear conductivity trends. Solid-state 7Li & 6Li nuclear magnetic resonance shows Li+ only exchanges between PEO-LiTFSI and some LLZO interphase, with no appreciable Li+ transport through bulk LLZO. Surface functionalization is a promising path toward lowering the polymer-ceramic interphase resistance. This work demonstrates that local changes in Li+ transport affect macroscopic performance, highlighting the intricate relationships between all interfaces in inherently heterogeneous composite polymer electrolytes.