Li Penetration in Ceramic Solid Electrolytes: Operando Microscopy Analysis of Morphology, Propagation, and Reversibility

Solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) have attracted substantial attention for next-generation Li-metal batteries, but Li-filament propagation at high current densities remains a significant challenge. This study probes the coupled electrochemical-morphological-mechanical evolution of Li-metal-Li7La3Zr2O12 interfaces. Quantitative analysis of synchronized electrochemistry with operando video microscopy reveals new insights into the nature of Li propagation in SSEs. Several different filament morphologies are identified, demonstrating that a singular mechanism is insufficient to describe the complexity of Li propagation pathways. The dynamic evolution of the structures is characterized, which demonstrates the relationships between current density and propagation velocity, as well as reversibility of plated Li before short-circuit occurs. Under deep discharge, void formation and dewetting are directly observed, which are directly related to evolving overpotentials during stripping. Finally, similar Li penetration behavior is observed in glassy Li3PS4, demonstrating the relevance of the new insights to SSEs more generally.