Abstract: Batteries include a current collector, a cathode, an interlayer disposed on the cathode, a solid-state electrolyte disposed on the interlayer, and a lithium anode disposed on the solid-state electrolyte. In aspects, the interlayer includes a lithium salt and a sulfone compound within a polymeric matrix. In aspects, the interlayer includes a lithium salt and a sulfone compound. In aspects, methods of forming a battery comprise disposing a precursor solution comprising a lithium salt, a sulfone compound, and a monomer on a first major surface of a cathode. Methods can further include curing the precursor solution to form an interlayer including the lithium salt and the sulfone compound within a polymeric matrix. In aspects, methods can include disposing a lithium salt and a sulfone compound on a first major surface of a cathode. Methods further include disposing a solid-state electrolyte over the first major surface of the cathode.

Abstract: A battery includes a substrate; a cathode disposed on the substrate; at least one interlayer disposed on the cathode; a solid-state electrolyte (SSE) disposed on the interlayer; and a lithium anode disposed on the solid-state electrolyte, such that the at least one interlayer is a deep-eutectic-solvent-based (DES) electrolyte.

Abstract: A battery includes a substrate; a composite cathode disposed on the substrate; a solid-state electrolyte disposed on the composite cathode; and a lithium anode disposed on the solid-state electrolyte, such that the composite cathode comprises a gel polymer electrolyte layer and a porous cathode active material layer. A method of forming a cathode for a solid-state battery includes mixing an active cathode material, at least one of a conductive carbon component and an electronic conductive component, and a polymer binder to form a slurry; immersing the slurry in an alcohol reagent to form a porous disc structure by phase conversion; and immersing the porous disc structure in a liquid electrolyte to form the cathode.

Abstract: A composition includes a first portion including Ni-rich LiNixCo?MnzO2, where 0.5<x<1, 0<y<1, 0<z<1; a second portion including Li?Zr?O?, where 0<?<9, 0<?<3, and 1<?<10 such that the second portion is coated on the first portion, and the first portion is doped with an elemental metal selected from at least one of Zr, Si, Sn, Nb, Ta, Al, and Fe. A method of forming a composition includes mixing a metal precursor with nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) precursor to form a first mixture; adding a lithium-based compound to the first mixture to form a second mixture; and calcining the second mixture at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time to form the composition.

Abstract: A lithium-metal battery includes: a cathode; a garnet solid-state electrolyte disposed on the cathode; and a lithium anode disposed on the garnet solid-state electrolyte, such that a modification layer is disposed at an interface of the lithium anode and garnet solid-state electrolyte, the modification layer comprising an inorganic lithium salt. A method of forming a lithium-metal battery includes treating garnet solid-state electrolyte with an acid solution; and exposing the acid-treated garnet solid-state electrolyte to hydrogen fluoride to form a modification layer atop the garnet solid-state electrolyte.

Abstract: A battery includes a substrate; a composite cathode disposed on the substrate; a solid-state electrolyte disposed on the composite cathode; and a lithium anode disposed on the solid-state electrolyte, such that the composite cathode comprises a gel polymer electrolyte layer and a porous cathode active material layer. A method of forming a cathode for a solid-state battery includes mixing an active cathode material, at least one of a conductive carbon component and an electronic conductive component, and a polymer binder to form a slurry; immersing the slurry in an alcohol reagent to form a porous disc structure by phase conversion; and immersing the porous disc structure in a liquid electrolyte to form the cathode.