Li+ conducting halide solid-state electrolytes (SEs)
are developing as an alternative to contemporary oxide and sulfide
SEs for all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) due to their high ionic
conductivity, excellent chemical and electrochemical oxidation stability,
and good deformability. However, the instability of halide SEs against
the Li anode is still one of the key challenges that need to be addressed.
Among halides, fluorides have shown a wider electrochemical stability
window due to fluoride’s high electronegativity and smaller
ionic radius. However, the ionic conductivity of fluoride-based SEs
is lower compared to other halide-based SEs. To achieve better interface
stability with the Li anode, the presence of fluoride is not only
advantageous for a wider potential window but also forms a stable
passivation layer at the Li/SEs interface. Therefore, developing mixed
halogen-based solid electrolytes, particularly fluorine and chlorine-based
SEs are promising in ASSBs. Herein, we report dual halogen-based SEs,
Li2ZrF6–x
Cl
x
(0 ≤ x ≤ 2), synthesized
via ball-milling. The X-ray diffraction results revealed that Li2ZrF6–x
Cl
x
compounds crystallize in the trigonal phase (P3̅1m). Using impedance spectroscopy, an increase
in Li+ conductivity with the increase in Cl content was
observed for Li2ZrF6–x
Cl
x
. Compared with x = 0, Li+ conductivity for the sample with x = 1 improved by ∼5 orders of magnitude. The Li+ conductivities for Li2ZrF5Cl1 at
25 and 100 °C are 5.5 × 10–7 and 2.1 ×
10–5 S/cm, respectively. Moreover, Li2ZrF5Cl1 exhibits the widest electrochemical
stability window and excellent Li interface stability. Our work indicates
Li2ZrF6–x
Cl
x
as an attractive material for optimization in the
class of halide-based solid-state Li-ion conductors.