LAGP is one of the most studied solid-state electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries. The use of a solid-state electrolyte improves the battery safety eliminating liquid-based electrolytes, which are flammable and usually unstable above 4.3 V. In addition, it physically separates the anode from the cathode, reducing the risk of short-circuit, and strongly inhibits lithium dendrite growth. Finally, solid-state electrolytes can operate in a wide range of temperatures, with minimum conductivity loss and decomposition issues. Nevertheless, the ionic conductivity of solid-state electrolytes is some orders of magnitude lower than the one of conventional liquid-based electrolytes, therefore a thin electrolyte layer is preferred to reduce the overall internal impedance and to achieve a shorter diffusion path and larger energy densities. Therefore, LAGP is a suitable candidate for all-solid-state thin-film lithium-ion batteries, in which the electrolyte thickness ranges from 1 to some hundreds of micrometres. The good mechanical strength of LAGP effectively suppress lithium dendrites during lithium stripping and plating, reducing the risk of internal short-circuit and battery failure.
LAGP is applied as a solid-state electrolyte both as a pure material and as a component in organic-inorganic composite electrolytes. For example, LAGP can be composited with polymeric materials, like polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene oxide (PEO), to improve the ionic conductivity and to tune the electrochemical stability. Moreover, since LAGP is not fully stable against metallic lithium because of the electrochemical reactivity of Ge cations, additional interlayers can be introduced between the lithium anode and the solid electrolyte to improve the interfacial stability. The addition of a thin layer of metallic germanium inhibits the electrochemical reduction by lithium metal at very negative potentials and promotes the interfacial contact between the anode and the electrolyte, resulting in improved cycling performance and battery stability. The use of polymer-ceramic composite interlayers or the excess of LiO are alternative strategies to improve the electrochemical stability of LAGP at negative potentials.
LAGP has been also tested not only as a solid electrolyte, but also as an anode material in lithium-ion battery, showing high electrochemical stability and good cycling performance.