NASICON-type polymer-in-ceramic composite electrolytes for lithium batteries

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Hybrid polymer-ceramic electrolytes are crucial for developing safe and mechanically robust all-solid-state rechargeable batteries.
• High ceramic loading in these electrolytes is key to achieving desired safety and mechanical properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate composite poly(ethylene oxide)/Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 (PEO/LATP) electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries.
• To understand the interactions between ceramic and polymer phases and elucidate Li+ transport mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Physicochemical and electrochemical characterization techniques were employed.
• Methods included X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, solid-state MAS-NMR, and impedance spectroscopy.

Main Results:

• Composite PEO/LATP electrolytes with 70 wt% LATP and 30 wt% P(EO)15LiTFSI demonstrated ionic conductivity of 4 × 10-5 Ω-1 cm-1 at 25 °C.
• Conductivity exceeded 10-4 Ω-1 cm-1 at 45 °C, indicating promising performance for a quasi-ceramic electrolyte processed at room temperature.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing amorphous polymer content and ceramic particle characteristics (composition, size, dispersion) can further enhance transport properties in "polymer-in-ceramic" systems.
• Room temperature processing of these hybrid electrolytes offers a viable pathway for advanced solid-state battery development.