The Li⁺ transport kinetics at the solid–solid electrode|electrolyte interfaces are crucial for the stable and durable performance of solid-state batteries (SSBs). A poor interface due to mechanical problems and/or (electro-)chemical instabilities will curtail the performance of such batteries. Herein, we present a detailed study on the interfaces of a lithium–sulfur (Li–S) SSB with a Li anode, Li–garnet (LLZO) solid electrolyte (SE), and a sulfur–carbon composite as the cathode. Interlayer gels based on ionic liquids were introduced to improve the interfacial properties of the system. For Li symmetric cells, the strategy resulted in a decrease in cell resistance by about a factor of five and stable voltage profiles with low overpotentials (∼300 mV at 0.4 mA cm⁻² after >450 hours). Furthermore, the LLZO SE efficiently blocked the polysulfide shuttle to the Li anode. Due to the advantageous features of the design, good electrochemical performance was obtained, where the Li–S SSB delivered an initial discharge capacity of ca. 1360 mA h g_sulfur ⁻¹ and a discharge capacity of ca. 570 mA h g_sulfur ⁻¹ after 100 cycles. Detailed electrochemical and compositional characterization of the interphase layers was performed at the Li anode and sulfur cathode interfaces through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), applying depth-profiling techniques, and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The results revealed the presence of interphase nano-layers with varying thicknesses on the LLZO surface which contained organic and inorganic species.

A rapid microwave hydrothermal process is adopted for the synthesis of titanium dioxide and reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites as high-performance anode materials for Li-ion batteries. With the assistance of hydrazine hydrate as a reducing agent, graphene oxide was reduced while TiO₂ nanoparticles were grown in situ on the nanosheets to obtain the nanocomposite material. The morphology of the nanocomposite obtained consisted of TiO₂ particles with a size of ∼100 nm, uniformly distributed on the reduced graphene oxide nanosheets. The as-prepared TiO₂–graphene nanocomposite was able to deliver a capacity of 250 mA h g⁻¹ ± 5% at 0.2C for more than 200 cycles with remarkably stable cycle life during the Li⁺ insertion/extraction process. In terms of high rate capability performance, the nanocomposite delivered discharge capacity of ca. 100 mA h g⁻¹ with >99% coulombic efficiency at C-rates of up to 20C. The enhanced electrochemical performance of the material in terms of high rate capability and cycling stability indicates that the as-developed TiO₂–rGO nanocomposites are promising electrode materials for future Li-ion batteries.

Graphene, a 2D carbon structure, due to its unique materials characteristics for energy storage applications has grasped the considerable attention of scientists. The highlighted properties of this material with a mechanically robust and highly conductive nature have opened new opportunities for different energy storage systems such as Li-S (lithium-sulfur), Li-ion batteries, and metal-air batteries. It is necessary to understand the intrinsic properties of graphene materials to widen its large-scale applications in energy storage systems. In this review, different routes of graphene synthesis were investigated using chemical, thermal, plasma, and other methods along with their advantages and disadvantages. Apart from this, the applications of N-doped graphene in energy storage devices were discussed.