Hybrid solid-state electrolytes and methods of forming the same

A hybrid solid-state electrolyte layer for use in an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions, the hybrid solid-state electrolyte layer comprising:

• a first polymeric material defining a polymeric matrix;
• a plurality of solid-state electrolyte ceramic material particles;
• and
• an interfacial material adhering the polymeric matrix to the solid-state electrolyte ceramic material particles, the interfacial material comprising a branched copolymer that comprises dopamine and a second monomer that forms a second polymeric moiety, wherein the first polymeric material and the second polymeric moiety are the same.

A method for forming a hybrid solid-state electrolyte layer for use in an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions, the method comprising:

• preparing a receiving surface on a solid-state electrolyte ceramic material, the solid-state electrolyte ceramic material defining a plurality of solid-state electrolyte ceramic particles;
• and
• contacting an interfacial material to the receiving surface, the interfacial material comprising a branched copolymer that comprises dopamine and a second polymeric moiety selected from the group consisting of:
• polyethylene oxide (PEO), poly(methacrylic acid) (PMMA), poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), poly(vinylidene fluoride)-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP), poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN), poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP), polyethylenimine (PEI), poly(propylene oxide) (PPO), and combinations thereof.