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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 37 records · Page 2

Sodium, Silver and Lithium-Ion Conducting β''-Alumina + YSZ Composites, Ionic Conductivity and Stability

Na-β''-alumina (Na 2 O.~6Al 2 O 3 ) is known to be an excellent sodium ion conductor in battery and sensor applications. In this study we report fabrication of Na- β''-alumina + YSZ dual phase composite to mitigate moisture and CO 2 corrosion that otherwise can lead to degradation in pure Na-β''-alumina conductor. Subsequently, we heat-treated the samples in molten AgNO 3 and LiNO3 to respectively form Ag-β''-alumina + YSZ and Li-β''-alumina + YSZ to investigate their potential applications in silver- and lithium-ion solid state batteries. Ion exchange fronts were captured via SEM and EDS techniques. Their ionic conductivities were measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Both ion exchange rates and ionic conductivities of these composite ionic conductors were firstly reported here and measured as a function of ion exchange time and temperature.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Non-Conductive Polymers Enable Higher Ionic Conductivities and Suppress Reactivity in Hybrid Sulfide-Polymer Solid State Electrolytes

Hybrid ceramic-polymer solid state electrolytes are promising candidates to enable energy-dense lithium metal batteries by leveraging inorganic high ionic conductivity and flexible polymer mechanical properties. However, studies of hybrid electrolytes using sulfide-type inorganics such as Li3PS4 (LPS) have largely focused on combining the inorganic with commercial poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). PEO has proven to be insufficient for use in hybrid systems because it reacts with LPS and provides a competing pathway for ion transport, therefore producing a hybrid with low conductivity. Our work shows that using nonconductive, nonpolar polyethylene (PE) in a hybrid electrolyte with LPS eliminates both polymer and inorganic degradation and remarkably exhibit higher conductivities than those containing PEO at different polymer and salt concentrations. Using tracer-exchange NMR, we observe that the nonconductive nature of PE allows for iontransport through the inorganic whereas PEO provides a separate, competing pathway for lithium transport. Furthermore, compared to pure LPS, these hybrids enable longer term lithium cycling at 60°C. Our work shows that the path to enabling conductive and stable sulfide hybrids for solid state lithium metal batteries may be through the use of nonconductive, nonreactive polymers.

batteries↗

Nanoscale mapping of electromechanical response in ionic conductive ceramics with piezoelectric inclusions

Electromechanical (EM) response in ion conductive ceramics with piezoelectric inclusions was spatially explored using strain-based atomic force microscopy. Since the sample is composed of two dominant phases of ionic and piezoelectric phases, it allows us to explore two different EM responses of electrically induced ionic response and piezoresponse over the same surface. Furthermore, EM response of the ionic phase, i.e., electrochemical strain, was quantitatively investigated from the comparison with that of the piezoelectric phase, i.e., piezoresponse. These results could provide additional information on the EM properties, including the electrochemical strain at nanoscale.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Exceptionally High Ionic Conductivity in Na 3 P 0.62 As 0.38 S 4 with Improved Moisture Stability for Solid-State Sodium-Ion Batteries

A Na-ion solid-state electrolyte, Na 3 P 0.62 As 0.38 S 4 , is developed with an exceptionally high conductivity of 1.46 mS cm -1 at 25 degrees C and enhanced moisture stability. Dual effects of alloying element As (lattice expansion and a weaker As. S bond strength) are responsible for the superior conductivity. Improved moisture stability is regulated by shifting low-energy moisture reactions to high-energy ones due to As.

Yu, Zhaoxin↗

Accurately measuring the ionic conductivity of membranes via the direct contact method

Accurately measuring the ionic conductivity of membranes is important both for assessing the performance of new membranes as well as for advancing the fundamental understanding of electric field-driven ion transport in membranes. Yet, despite a considerable number of reports on the topic, there is no standardized method for ionic conductivity measurements. One of the main challenges with ionic conductivity measurements is isolating the membrane resistance from the other resistances in the electrochemical cell. In this study, we present a detailed discussion of factors that affect ionic conductivity measurements with the commonly used direct contact method, in which the membrane contacts the electrodes. Such factors include external resistances due to imperfect contact between the membrane and electrodes, residual impedances due to the sample holder and wiring, and fringe effects. Further, we also present and validate simple methods for isolating the true membrane ionic conductivity in both the through-plane and in-plane orientations. These methods can be implemented with virtually any membrane to obtain accurate and reproducible ionic conductivity values. Finally, we outline recommendations for performing ionic conductivity measurements with the direct contact method and a set of parameters to verify when reporting these results.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Using Holey Graphene for Improved Interfacial Contact in Solid Electrolyte Ionic Conductivity Measurements

Solid-state batteries (SSBs) are poised to become the batteries of the future with advantages such as higher energy density, lighter weight, versatile geometry, and greater safety due to low flammability risk. An important parameter of the solid electrolyte (SE) used is its ionic conductivity. The ionic conductivity is generally calculated from the bulk resistance of a SE pellet, measured from the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data. The SE pellet is typically prepared from the electrolyte powder by dry compression and is sandwiched between two blocking current collectors to obtain the impedance spectroscopy data. One of the challenges in conducting this measurement is poor interfacial contacts between the SE pellet and the current collector surfaces. Therefore, measurements reported in the literature may underestimate the true ionic conductivity of a given electrolyte. Holey graphene is a carbon nanomaterial with high electrical conductivity and unique dry compressibility, which is unusual for carbon materials but similar to many oxide and sulfide SEs. In this work, it is demonstrated that adding a thin layer of holey graphene between the electrolyte and the stainless steel current collectors significantly improves the interfacial contact. The ionic conductivity values obtained in the effort were sometimes several times higher than the data measured for SEs without the holey graphene layers. This work calls for more standardized measurement procedures to reduce the discrepancies in reported ionic conductivity values.

Solid state battery↗

Effect of K + Force Fields on Ionic Conductivity and Charge Dynamics of KOH in Ethylene Glycol

Predicting ionic conductivity is crucial for developing efficient electrolytes for energy storage and conversion and other electrochemical applications. An accurate estimate of ionic conductivity requires understanding complex ion–ion and ion–solvent interactions governing the charge transport at the molecular level. Molecular simulations can provide key insights into the spatial and temporal behavior of electrolyte constituents. However, such insights depend on the ability of force fields to describe the underlying phenomena. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations were leveraged to delineate the impact of force field parameters on ionic conductivity predictions of potassium hydroxide (KOH) in ethylene glycol (EG). Four different force fields were used to represent the K + ion. Diffusion-based Nernst–Einstein and correlation-based Einstein approaches were implemented to estimate the ionic conductivity, and the predicted values were compared with experimental measurements. The physical aspects, including ion-aggregation, charge distribution, cluster correlation, and cluster dynamics, were also examined. A force field was identified that provides reasonably accurate Einstein conductivity values and a physically coherent representation of the electrolyte at the molecular level.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Ionically conductive powders and films, and methods of preparation

A solid ionically conductive composition (e.g., nanoparticles of less than 1 micron or a continuous film) comprising at least one element selected from alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, aluminum, zinc, copper, and silver in combination with at least two elements selected from oxygen, sulfur, silicon, phosphorus, nitrogen, boron, gallium, indium, tin, germanium, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, transition metals, and lanthanides. Also described is a battery comprising an anode, a cathode, and a solid electrolyte (corresponding to the above ionically conductive composition) in contact with or as part of the anode and/or cathode. Further described is a thermal (e.g., plasma-based) method of producing the ionically conductive composition. Further described is a method for using an additive manufacturing (AM) process to produce an object constructed of the ionically conductive composition by use of particles of the ionically conductive composition as a feed material in the AM process.

Kercher, Andrew K.↗

Syntheses, structures, and ionic conductivities of perovskite-structured lithium–strontium–aluminum/gallium–tantalum-oxides

The ionic conductivities of new perovskite-structured lithium–strontium–aluminum/gallium–tantalum oxides were investigated. Solid solutions of the new perovskite oxides, (Li{sub x}Sr{sub 1−x})(Al{sub (1−x)/2}Ta{sub (1+x)/2})O{sub 3} and (Li{sub x}Sr{sub 1−x})(Ga{sub (1−x)/2}Ta{sub (1+x)/2})O{sub 3}, were synthesized using a ball-milled-assisted solid-state method. The partial substitution of the smaller Ga{sup +3} for Ta{sup +5} resulted in new compositions, the structures of which were determined by neutron diffraction measurements using a cubic perovskite structural model with the Pm−3m space group. Vacancies were introduced into the Sr(Li) sites by the formation of solid solutions with compositions (Li{sub x}Sr{sub 1−x−y}☐{sub y})(Ga{sub [(1−x)/2]−y}Ta{sub [(1+x)/2]+y})O{sub 3}, where the composition range of 0≤y≤0.20 was examined for x=0.2 and 0.25. The highest conductivity, 1.85×10{sup −3} S cm{sup −1} at 250 °C, was obtained for (Li{sub 0.25}Sr{sub 0.625}☐{sub 0.125})(Ga{sub 0.25}Ta{sub 0.75})O{sub 3} (x=0.25, y=0.125). Enhanced ionic conductivities were achieved by the introduction of vacancies at the A-sites. - Graphical abstract: Novel lithium-conducting oxides with the cubic perovskite structure (Li{sub x}Sr{sub 1−x−y}☐{sub y})(Ga{sub [(1−x)/2]−y}Ta{sub [(1+x)/2]+y})O{sub 3} provide a specific solid-solution region with various x and y values, exhibiting the highest ionic conductivity (1.85 S cm{sup −1} at 250 °C) for (Li{sub 0.25}Sr{sub 0.625}☐{sub 0.125})(Ga{sub 0.25}Ta{sub 0.75})O{sub 3} (x=0.25, y=0.125 in (Li{sub x}Sr{sub 1−x−y}☐{sub y})(Ga{sub [(1−x)/2]−y}Ta{sub [(1+x)/2]+y})O{sub 3}). The vacancies (☐) introduced into the A-sites contribute to the enhancement of lithium diffusion in the perovskite structure because of the enlargement of the bottleneck size and suppression of the interaction between lithium and oxygen. - Highlights: • The perovskite-structured novel Li–Sr–Al/Ga–Ta oxides were investigated. • The Ga cation offers a larger bottleneck by increasing the B−O bond length. • The greater conductivity was observed upon Ga-containing perovskite. • The ionic conductivity was improved by the introduction of vacancies into A-site.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗