Abstract: Batteries include a cathode, a solid-state electrolyte, and an anode. In aspects, the anode comprises an alloy including from about 50 atom % to about 90 atom % lithium, from about 5 atom % to about 50 atom % of a first component, and from about 0.1 atom % to about 10 atom % of a second component. In aspects, the anode includes from about 20 atom % to about 99 atom % of a first component and from about 1 atom % to about 20 atom % of a second component. The first component is selected from a group consisting of magnesium, silver, and combinations thereof. The second component is selected from a group consisting of calcium, aluminum, gallium, boron, carbon, silicon, tin, zinc, indium, antimony, silver, and combinations thereof. An amount of the first component is greater than an amount of the second component. The solid-state electrolyte is positioned between the cathode and the anode.

Abstract: Batteries include 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. The interlayer includes a deep-eutectic-solvent-based electrolyte including a lithium salt and a sulfone compound. Methods of forming a battery comprising disposing a deep-eutectic-solvent-based electrolyte comprising a lithium salt and a sulfone compound on a first major surface of a cathode. Methods further comprising disposing a solid-state electrolyte over the first major surface of the cathode. The deep-eutectic-solvent-based electrolyte is positioned between the cathode and the solid-state electrolyte.

Abstract: A sintered composite ceramic includes: a lithium-garnet major phase; and a lithium-rich minor phase, such that the lithium-rich minor phase has LixTiO(x+4)/2, with 0.66?x?4. The sintered composite ceramic may exhibit a relative density of at least 90% of a theoretical maximum density of the ceramic, an ionic conductivity of at least 0.35 mS·cm?1, or a critical current density (CCD) of at least 1.0 mA·cm?2.

Abstract: A lithium-metal battery, includes: a substrate; a cathode disposed on the substrate; 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 includes: a first portion; and a second portion, such that the first portion has a lithium component and the second portion has a garnet component. A method of forming a lithium-metal battery, includes: stacking a garnet source with at least one lithium source; and heating the stack at a temperature of at least 300° C. for a time in a range of 1 sec to 20 min to form a modification layer, such that the modification layer is disposed at an interface of the garnet source and the lithium source.

Abstract: A sintered composite ceramic includes a lithium-garnet major phase; and a lithium dendrite growth inhibitor minor phase, such that the lithium dendrite growth inhibitor minor phase comprises lithium tungstate. A method includes sintering a metal oxide component and a garnet component at a temperature in a range of 750° C. to 1500° C. to form a sintered composite ceramic.

Abstract: A lithium-metal battery, includes: a substrate; a cathode disposed on the substrate; a garnet solid-state electrolyte disposed on the cathode; and a lithium anode disposed on the garnet solid-state electrolyte, such that a discoloration layer is disposed at an interface of the lithium anode and garnet solid-state electrolyte, the discoloration layer includes: a first portion; and a second portion, such that the first portion has a lithium component and the second portion has a garnet component. A method of forming a lithium-metal battery, includes: stacking a garnet source with at least one lithium source; and heating the stack at a temperature of at least 300° C. for a time in a range of 1 sec to 20 min to form a discoloration layer, such that the discoloration layer is disposed at an interface of the garnet source and the lithium source.

Abstract: A sintered composite ceramic, including: a lithium-garnet major phase; and a lithium-rich minor phase, such that the lithium-rich minor phase comprises LixZrO(x+4)/2, with 2?x?10.

Abstract: A sintered composite ceramic includes: a lithium-garnet major phase; and a lithium-rich minor phase, such that the lithium-rich minor phase has LixTiO(x+4)/2, with 0.66?x?4. The sintered composite ceramic may exhibit a relative density of at least 90% of a theoretical maximum density of the ceramic, an ionic conductivity of at least 0.35 mS·cm?1, or a critical current density (CCD) of at least 1.0 mA·cm?2.

Abstract: A lithium-metal battery, includes: a substrate; a cathode disposed on the substrate; a garnet solid-state electrolyte disposed on the cathode; and a lithium anode disposed on the garnet solid-state electrolyte, such that a discoloration layer is disposed at an interface of the lithium anode and garnet solid-state electrolyte, the discoloration layer includes: a first portion; and a second portion, such that the first portion has a lithium component and the second portion has a garnet component. A method of forming a lithium-metal battery, includes: stacking a garnet source with at least one lithium source; and heating the stack at a temperature of at least 300° C. for a time in a range of 1 sec to 20 min to form a discoloration layer, such that the discoloration layer is disposed at an interface of the garnet source and the lithium source.