Interplay between oxygen redox and interfacial stability of Li-rich positive electrodes in sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries.

Wu, Yuqi; Ren, Fucheng; Li, Cheng; Xu, Chuanjing; Wang, Huanran; Lin, Jianrong; Wu, Hanyan; Wang, Qin et al. · Nat Commun · 2026

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Understanding and manipulating the interplay between lattice oxygen redox and interfacial stability is critical for realizing the full potential of lithium-rich manganese-based oxide positive electrodes in all-solid-state lithium batteries. Herein, we comprehensively investigate interfacial evolution of Li-rich manganese-based positive electrodes in sulfide electrolyte (Li<sub>6</sub>PS<sub>5</sub>Cl) systems and report that a potential mechanism where irreversible lattice oxygen redox at high potential induces severe electrolyte decomposition, forming porous oxygenated by-products that dominate interfacial impedance and hinder anionic redox reactions. Discharge-driven reduction of these by-products-particularly between 2.6-2.0 V-could facilitates interphases reconstruction via lithium incorporation, enhancing ionic transport kinetics and enabling reversible oxygen redox. Building on this identified mechanism, we propose a pre-activation strategy (3.9-2.0 V pre-cycling) with oxygen-modified Li<sub>6</sub>PS<sub>5</sub>Cl, which accelerates interphases stabilization and enables high oxygen redox utilization during the first cycle. It delivers a specific capacity of 318 mAh g<sup>-1</sup> at 10 mA g<sup>-1</sup>, and 226 mAh g<sup>-1</sup> at 200 mA g<sup>-1</sup> with 83.2% retention over 500 cycles at 60 °C. This work has the potential to provide an effective interfacial reconstruction strategy to enhance anionic redox reversibility, providing a design framework for high-energy lithium-rich positive electrodes in all-solid-state lithium batteries.