Removal and Reoccurrence of LLZTO Surface Contaminants under Glovebox Conditions.

The reactivity of LiLaZrTaO (LLZTO) solid electrolytes to form lithio-phobic species such as LiCO on their surface when exposed to trace amounts of HO and CO limits the progress of LLZTO-based solid-state batteries. Various treatments, such as annealing LLZTO within a glovebox or acid etching, aim at removing the surface contaminants, but a comprehensive understanding of the evolving LLZTO surface chemistry during and after these treatments is lacking. Here, glovebox-like HO and CO conditions were recreated in a near ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy chamber to analyze the LLZTO surface under realistic conditions.