Rugged, gel-free, lithium-free, high energy density solid-state electrochemical energy storage devices

A method of making a Faradaic solid-state energy storage device, the method comprising:

• depositing a first electrode on a substrate,
• wherein the first electrode has a first thickness greater than 1 nm and less than or equal to 80 nm,
• wherein the first electrode comprises a first redox-supporting transition metal, an oxide of the first redox-supporting transition metal, or a combination of the first redox-supporting transition metal and the oxide of the first redox-supporting transition metal, and
• wherein depositing the first electrode includes depositing using a first controllable deposition method;
• depositing a solid electrolyte on the first electrode,
• wherein the solid electrolyte has a second thickness greater than 1 nm and less than or equal to 500 nm,
• wherein the solid electrolyte comprises a solid-state, oxygen ion conducting ceramic electrolyte, wherein the solid-state, oxygen ion conducting ceramic has a crystal structure including vacancies that permit conduction or migration of oxygen ions through the crystal structure, and
• wherein depositing the solid electrolyte includes depositing using a second controllable deposition method;
• and
• depositing a second electrode on the solid electrolyte,
• wherein the second electrode has a third thickness greater than 1 nm and less than or equal to 80 nm,
• wherein the second electrode comprises a second redox-supporting transition metal, an oxide of the second redox-supporting transition metal, or a combination of the second redox-supporting transition metal and the oxide of the second redox-supporting transition metal, and
• wherein depositing the second electrode includes depositing using a third controllable deposition method.

A Faradaic solid-state energy storage device comprising:

• a first electrode,
• wherein the first electrode has a first thickness greater than 1 nm and less than or equal to 80nm, and
• wherein the first electrode comprises a cobalt oxide or a nickel oxide;
• a solid electrolyte positioned in direct contact with the first electrode,
• wherein the solid electrolyte has a second thickness greater than 1 nm and less than or equal to 500 nm, and
• wherein the solid electrolyte comprises a solid-state, oxygen ion conducting yttrium stabilized zirconium (YSZ) electrolyte, wherein the solid-state, oxygen ion conducting YSZ electrolyte has a crystal structure including vacancies that permit conduction or migration of oxygen ions through the YSZ;
• a second electrode positioned in direct contact with the solid electrolyte,
• wherein the second electrode has a third thickness greater than 1 nm and less than or equal to 80nm, and
• wherein the second electrode comprises cobalt oxide or nickel oxide;
• a plurality of additional solid electrolytes, each of the plurality of additional solid electrolytes positioned in direct contact with one or two electrodes,
• wherein the plurality of additional solid electrolytes each independently have thicknesses greater than 1 nm and less than or equal to 500 nm, and
• wherein the plurality of additional solid electrolytes comprise the solid-state, oxygen ion conducting ceramic electrolyte;
• and
• a plurality of additional electrodes, each of the plurality of additional electrodes positioned in direct contact with one or two of the plurality of additional solid electrolytes,
• wherein the plurality of additional electrodes each independently have thicknesses greater than 1 nm and less than or equal to 80 nm, and
• wherein the plurality of additional electrodes each independently comprise cobalt oxide or nickel oxide.