The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formed on silicon anodes experiences continuous breakdown and reformation cycles during battery operation. Silicon particles expand volumetrically by up to 300% during lithiation, creating mechanical stresses that fracture the protective SEI layer and expose fresh silicon surfaces to the electrolyte. These repeated breakage events consume lithium inventory and electrolyte components, leading to capacity fade that can exceed 20% after just 100 cycles in commercial cells.

The fundamental challenge lies in engineering an SEI layer that maintains electrochemical stability while accommodating the extreme volume changes inherent to silicon-based anodes.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including lithium-silicon-oxygen-nitrogen composite materials, interface modification layers deposited through precursor solutions, electron-conductive interface layers, and inorganic protective coatings applied through controlled deposition techniques. These and other approaches aim to create mechanically robust interfaces that can withstand repeated expansion-contraction cycles while maintaining ionic conductivity and minimizing parasitic reactions.

1. Lithium Secondary Battery with Solid Electrolyte Interface Layer Deposited by Magnetron Sputtering

SHENZHEN HUINENG ENERGY STORAGE MATERIAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH CENTER CO LTD, 2024

Lithium secondary battery with improved safety features through the use of a novel solid electrolyte interface layer. The battery comprises a solid electrolyte comprising a sulfide material, a cathode active material, and a protective layer deposited on the sulfide layer surface. The protective layer, which is deposited through magnetron sputtering, acts as a barrier against water vapor and facilitates the formation of a stable interface between the cathode active material and the solid electrolyte. This layer enhances the solid-solid interface properties, particularly in humid environments, while maintaining the structural integrity of the solid electrolyte.

2. Solid-State Lithium Metal Battery with Precursor Solution Deposited Interface Modification Layer

SHENLAN AUTOMOBILE TECH CO LTD, 2023

Solid-state lithium metal battery with interface modification layer that improves interface contact and reduces interface resistance. The battery comprises a solid electrolyte with an interface modification layer, where the modification layer is prepared through a controlled precursor solution deposition process. The interface modification layer enables enhanced interface contact between the solid electrolyte and lithium metal anode, while maintaining compatibility with the anode material. This approach addresses the interface resistance issues in solid-state lithium metal batteries, enabling higher energy density and improved safety.

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3. Solid-State Battery with Electron-Conductive Interface Layer Between Solid Electrolyte and Lithium Metal Anode

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, 2020

Solid-state battery design that enables higher power density and faster charging rates through a novel interface layer between the solid electrolyte and lithium metal anode. The interface layer incorporates an electron-conductive material with a conductivity greater than that of the solid electrolyte, which significantly reduces interface resistance and improves critical current density. The layer can be formed through various methods, including depositing a metal oxide layer on the solid electrolyte surface or incorporating a conductive polymer layer. This interface layer enables the formation of solid-state batteries that can achieve power densities comparable to lithium-ion batteries while maintaining safety.

4. Solid Electrolyte-Lithium Composite with Dual-Surface Configuration for All-Solid-State Batteries

CHINA ENERGY CAS TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2020

Solid electrolyte-lithium composite for all-solid-state lithium secondary batteries, comprising a solid electrolyte with a first main surface and a second main surface opposite thereto, and a lithium-containing layer compounded on the first main surface. The lithium-containing substrate includes metal lithium or a lithium alloy. The solid electrolyte is prepared by coating a lithium-containing substrate on the first main surface in a molten state or vapor-depositing the lithium-containing substrate on the first main surface.

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5. Lithium Metal Solid-State Battery with Ion-Conductive Interface Layer Formed by Acid Reaction

TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA INC, 2019

Lithium metal solid-state battery with a novel interface layer that prevents lithium metal decomposition of the solid electrolyte. The layer is formed by reacting lithium metal with an acid dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent, resulting in a salt or compound that conducts lithium ions while preventing electron conduction. This interface layer acts as a barrier between the lithium metal anode and the solid electrolyte, preventing the formation of unwanted lithium salt layers and maintaining uniform current distribution across the anode surface.

6. Lithium-Based Negative Electrode Material with Tailored Interface Properties via Hot-Melting and Compounding Process

UNIV TONGJI, 2019

Lithium-based negative electrode material for solid-state batteries that enables improved interface compatibility between the negative electrode and solid electrolyte. The material is prepared through a novel hot-melting and compounding process that optimizes lithium metal viscosity, surface energy, and carbon content. This approach enables precise control of interface properties, including interface resistance, which is critical for achieving high cycle stability and preventing dendrite formation. The material's composition can be precisely tailored to optimize interface compatibility with the solid electrolyte, enabling reliable operation in solid-state batteries.

7. Layered Solid Electrolyte Deposition for Enhanced Electrode Interface in Lithium-Ion Batteries

LG CHEM LTD, 2018

Reducing interfacial resistance between electrode and solid electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries through a novel solid electrolyte deposition process. The process involves depositing a mixed electrolyte layer on the electrode surface, followed by depositing a solid electrolyte layer on the mixed electrolyte layer. This creates a uniform interface between the electrode and electrolyte, enabling high current densities during charging and discharging while maintaining optimal ionic conductivity.

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8. Solid-State Lithium-Ion Battery Electrode Material with Three-Dimensional Polymer Electrolyte and Pre-Treated Substrate

WUXI HIT CO LTD & RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF NEW MATERIAL, 2016

A high-capacity solid-state lithium-ion battery negative electrode material and method that enables enhanced performance in lithium-ion batteries through a novel electrode architecture. The material comprises an active material coated on a current collector substrate, a three-dimensional network polymer electrolyte with conductivity > 10^-3 S/cm after activation, and a current collector substrate. The substrate undergoes hydrogen peroxide treatment before coating, followed by natural drying. This approach enables high-capacity battery performance while maintaining excellent electrochemical stability and mechanical integrity.

9. Silicon-Carbon Composite Anode with Nanometer-Sized Silicon and Mesocarbon Microspheres

TIANJIN EMT BATTERY MATERIALS CO LTD, 2016

Silicon-carbon composite anode materials for lithium-ion batteries that achieve high volume volume and cyclic performance of the synthetic SEI layer. The materials contain nanometer-sized silicon powder and mesocarbon microspheres, which are combined with high-temperature petroleum asphalt and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) to create a composite anode structure. The composite anode exhibits superior SEI stability and volume retention compared to conventional silicon-carbon anodes, enabling higher energy density batteries with improved cycle life.

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10. Composite Solid Electrolyte Film with Li3P0.4-Li2S-Li3N-Li4SiO4 and TiO2 for High Ionic Conductivity

SHANGHAI JIAO TONG UNIVERSITY, 2016

A high-ionic-conductivity solid electrolyte film for advanced ion devices, achieved through a novel composite structure comprising Li3P0.4-Li2S-Li3N-Li4SiO4 and TiO2 components. The film exhibits 5.52 S/cm ionic conductivity, surpassing conventional solid electrolytes, while maintaining excellent mechanical and electrochemical stability. The film's unique composition enables single-diode memory devices with improved memory characteristics, and its layered structure enables enhanced energy storage capabilities. The composite film can be precisely controlled in thickness and composition, enabling optimized performance for ion devices.

11. Method for Controlled Deposition of Salt-Based SEI Layer on Cathode Surface in Negative-Ion Batteries

HUNAN SHANSHAN ENERGY TECH CO LTD, 2016

Method for preparing negative-ion batteries with enhanced SEI (solid electrolyte interphase) properties. The method involves forming a thin, uniform SEI layer on the cathode surface through controlled deposition of a salt-based material containing lithium carbonate and lithium carbonate, followed by a thin layer of active material coating. The resulting SEI layer provides superior protection against electrochemical degradation while maintaining optimal SEI thickness for efficient ion transport.

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12. Porous-Dense Double-Layer Electrolyte Ceramic Sintered Body for Lithium Batteries

TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY, 2015

Porous-dense double-layer electrolyte ceramic sintered body for all-solid-state lithium-ion and lithium-air batteries, comprising a dense lithium-ion electrolyte layer and a porous layer. The dense layer is formed by sintering a dense ceramic precursor, while the porous layer is created through a controlled mixing process with pore-forming agents. The dense layer provides high ionic conductivity, while the porous layer enables efficient lithium-ion intercalation and oxygen reduction reactions. The dense layer is then sintered to form the final battery component.

13. Solid Electrolyte with Gradient Porosity and Controlled Air Holes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI KK, 2015

A solid electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries that prevents dendritic crystal growth through electrode interface resistance. The electrolyte is formed by sintering a compact oxide material with high density (>90% of the original material), which creates a solid electrolyte with controlled porosity. The compact material is shaped into a specific form with strategically placed air holes, creating a gradient of porosity across the electrolyte surface. This gradient enhances ion conductivity while preventing electrode-electrolyte interface resistance. The compact material is then integrated into the battery cell configuration, with the electrolyte filling the gap between the electrodes.

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