BATTERY CELLS INCLUDING LITHIUM-ION CONDUCTING SOLID ELECTROLYTES AND METHODS OF MAKING THEREOF

A solid-state battery comprising at least one electrode stack that includes a solid-state electrolyte, cathode, and optionally an anode. The electrolyte can be an oxygen-free and carbon-free solid-state and alkali-conducting electrolyte that is processable in oxygen-containing atmospheres with room temperature ionic conductivity greater than 1 mS/cm and room temperature shear modulus greater between 1 GPa and 20 GPa. The cathode can be composed of an electrochemically-active material from Group 16 of the periodic table having a high surface area greater than 10 m2/g and contact with a conductive carbon material. The anode can be comprised of any material that can reversibly accommodate group 1 or group 2 elements or the base group 1 or group 2 element. The solid-state battery can utilize a solid-state electrolyte having a lithium-conducting sulfide electrolyte, of the formula U6PS5X (X=Cl, Br, I) with argyrodite structure and exhibiting ionic conductivity over 1 mS cm-1 at room temperature.