Reconstructions and Dynamics of $β$-Lithium Thiophosphate Surfaces

Abstract

Lithium thiophosphate (LPS) is a promising solid electrolyte for next-generation lithium-ion batteries due to its superior energy storage, high ionic conductivity, and low-flammability components. Despite its potential, the high reactivity of LPS with common contaminants such as atmospheric water, preparation solvents, and electrode materials poses significant challenges for commercialization. The lack of understanding regarding the structure, morphology, and chemical behavior of LPS's surface slows down the search for solutions to these issues. Here, we utilize a machine learning interatomic potential to achieve a fundamental, atomistic understanding of the mechanical and chemical properties of the $β$-Li$_3$PS$_4$ surfaces. Employing molecular dynamics simulations, we identify relevant surface complexions formed by surface reconstructions, determine their surface energies and compute the Wulff shape of $β$-LPS. The most stable complexions exhibit properties distinctly different from the bulk, including amorphization, increased density, decreased conductivity and large deformation of the structure building blocks. We demonstrate that these surfaces are not static, but undergo significant dynamical activity which is clearly identified by an analysis featuring a time-averaged structural descriptor. Finally, we examine the changes of the electronic structure induced by the surface complexions, which provides us with details on changes in surface reactivity and active sites, underlining the importance to investigate surface complexions under realistic conditions.