Oxygen substitution effects in Li10GeP2S12 solid electrolyte

For the lithium super-ionic conductor Li10GeP2S12, the partial substitution of sulfur by oxygen is achieved via a solid-state reaction. The solid-solution range of oxygen is found to be 0 ≤ x < 0.9 in Li10GeP2S12−xOx. Structure refinements using synchrotron X-ray diffraction data confirm the preference for oxygen substitution in the PS4 tetrahedra. The local structural change in the P(S/O)4 tetrahedra upon substitution is also indicated by Raman spectroscopy. Ionic conduction properties are maintained even after the oxygen substitution in Li10GeP2S12; the ionic conductivity of Li10GeP2S12−xOx (0.3 ≤ x ≤ 0.6) ranges from 1.03 × 10−2 to 8.43 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 298 K. No redox current is observed by cyclic voltammetry from nearly 0 to 10 V versus Li/Li+ except for that due to the lithium deposition/dissolution reactions. All-solid-state batteries using Li10GeP2S12−xOx (x = 0.3 and 0.6) as solid electrolytes with Li metal anodes show discharge capacities exceeding 100 mAh g−1 and better cycling performance compared to batteries using the original Li10GeP2S12. The partial substitution of oxygen for sulfur in Li10GeP2S12 affords a novel solid electrolyte, Li10GeP2S12−xOx, with high conductive properties and electrochemical stability.