LAUSR

Using the nanoindentation technique, we probed the mechanical properties of tape cast and sintered thin doped Li7La3Zr2O12 garnet electrolytes. For comparison, a bulk garnet sample fabricated by die pressing and sintering was also studied. The results indicate that the thin sample has significantly higher elastic modulus (~155GPa), hardness (~11GPa), and indentation fracture toughness (~1.12±0.12 MPa*m1/2than the bulk sample (~142GPa, ~10GPa, and ~0.97±0.10 MPa*m1/2, respectively). The above results demonstrate the thin sample can more effectively prevent lithium dendrite penetration due to its higher mechanical properties. Deformation and creep behavior analysis further indicates that the thin sample: (1) has higher resistance to withhold the charge/discharge stress and consequently deformation; (2) lower creep exponent and likely high resistance to brittle failure.