In-situ Solidification of Plastic Interlayers Enabling the Application of Li-rich Layered Oxide Cathodes in PVDF-HFP-Based Polymer All-Solid-State Batteries

All-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) employing Li-rich layered oxide (LLO) cathodes are regarded as promising next-generation energy storage systems owing to their outstanding energy density and intrinsic safety. Polymer-in-salt solid electrolytes (PISSE) offer advantages such as low processing costs, high ionic conductivity, and good anode compatibility; however, their practical deployment is hindered by poor oxidative stability especially under high-voltage. In this study, we report the rational design of a bilayer electrolyte architecture featuring an in situ solidified LiClO₄-doped succinonitrile (LiClO₄–SN) plastic-crystal interlayer between a Li₁.₂Mn₀.₆Ni₀.₂O₂ (LMNO) cathode and a PVDF-HFP-based PISSE. This PISSE/SN–LiClO₄ configuration exhibits a wide electrochemical stability window up to 4.7 V vs. Li+/Li and delivers a high ionic conductivity of 2.38 × 10-4 S cm-1 at 25 °C. The solidified LiClO₄-SN layer serves as an effective physical barrier, shielding the PVDF-HFP matrix from direct interfacial contact with LMNO and thereby suppressing its oxidative decomposition at elevated potentials. As a result, the bilayer polymer-based cells with LMNO cathode demonstrate an initial discharge capacity of ∼206 mAh g-1 at 0.05 C and exhibit good cycling stability with 85.7% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 0.5 C under a high cut-off voltage of 4.6 V. This work not only provides a promising strategy to enhance the compatibility of PVDF-HFP-based electrolytes with high-voltage cathodes through the facile in-situ solidification of plastic interlayers but also promotes the application of LMNO cathode material in high-energy ASSLBs.