Fast ion conductors, also known as solid electrolytes, are solids with highly mobile ions. They are widely employed in many technological applications, including fuel cells, batteries, and sensors. In this talk, in situ synthesis, in operando characterization, a new method to probe ion conduction pathways, and strategies to improve ionic conductivities of fast ion conductors will be discussed. New Li-ion conductors with high ionic conductivities have been designed with in silico efforts, in situ synthesis is necessary to efficiently harvest the fruits from computational studies. High-temperature in situ solid-state NMR is employed to follow the phase evolution and property changes of precursors, intermediates, and target compounds during the synthesis of fast Li-ion conductors. Ionic conductivity is determined by three factors, i.e., charge carrier concentration, ion dynamics, and ion transport pathways. A solid-state NMR approach is devised on the basis of 6Lià7Li isotope replacement to determine Li ion transport pathways. This method was demonstrated on a few ceramic Li ion conductors and ceramic-polymer composite electrolytes. In operando NMR and MRI characterizations of solid electrolytes were performed to probe Li transport, Li distribution homogeneity, and microstructure formation during the charge-discharge operation of solid-state batteries. In summary, our research aims to provide an approach for efficient synthesis, to improve our understanding of ion conduction mechanisms, and to gain insights in structural features of solid electrolytes for fast ion conduction and long-term stability.

Insight into fast ion conductors from solid-state NMR/MRI

255th National Meeting (2018)

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