Abstract The correlation between lattice chemistry and cation migration in high‐entropy Li+conductors is not fully understood due to challenges in characterizing anion disorder. To address this issue, argyrodite family of Li+conductors, which enables structural engineering of the anion lattice, is investigated. Specifically, new argyrodites, Li5.3PS4.3Cl1.7−xBrx(0 ≤x≤ 1.7), with varying anion entropy are synthesized and X‐ray diffraction, neutron scattering, and multinuclear high‐resolution solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) are used to determine the resulting structures. Ion and lattice dynamics are determined using variable‐temperature multinuclear NMR relaxometry and maximum entropy method analysis of neutron scattering, aided by constrained ab initio molecular dynamics calculations. 15 atomic configurations of anion arrangements are identified, producing a wide range of local lattice dynamics. High entropy in the lattice structure, composition, and dynamics stabilize otherwise metastable Li‐deficient structures and flatten the energy landscape for cation migration. This resulted in the highest room‐temperature ionic conductivity of 26 mS cm−1and a low activation energy of 0.155 eV realized in Li5.3PS4.3Cl0.7Br, where anion disorder is maximized. This study sheds light on the complex structure–property relationships of high‐entropy superionic conductors, highlighting the significance of heterogeneity in lattice dynamics.
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Tailoring Ion Transport in Li 3‐3y Ho 1+y Cl 6‐x Br x via Transition‐Metal Free Structural Planes and Charge Carrier Distribution
Abstract Localized atomistic disorder in halide‐based solid electrolytes (SEs) can be leveraged to boost Li+mobility. In this study, Li+transport in structurally modified Li3HoCl6, via Br−introduction and Li+deficiency, is explored. The optimized Li3‐3yHo1+yCl6‐xBrxachieves an ionic conductivity of 3.8 mS cm−1at 25 °C, the highest reported for holmium halide materials.6,7Li nuclear magnetic resonance and relaxometry investigations unveil enhanced ion dynamics with bromination, attaining a Li+motional rate neighboring 116 MHz. X‐ray diffraction analyses reveal mixed‐anion‐induced phase transitions with disproportionate octahedral expansions and distortions, creating Ho‐free planes with favorable energetics for Li+migration. Bond valence site energy analysis highlights preferred Li+transport pathways, particularly in structural planes devoid of Ho3+blocking effects. Molecular dynamics simulations corroborate enhanced Li+diffusion with Br−introduction into Li3HoCl6. Li‐Ho electrostatic repulsions in the (001) plane presumably drive Li+diffusion into the Ho‐free (002) layer, enabling rapid intraplanar Li+motion and exchange between the 2d and 4h sites. Li3‐3yHo1+yCl6‐xBrxalso demonstrates good battery cycling stability. These findings offer valuable insights into the intricate correlations between structure and ion transport and will help guide the design of high‐performance fast ion conductors for all‐solid‐state batteries.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1847038
- PAR ID:
- 10596370
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley-VCH
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Advanced Science
- Volume:
- 12
- Issue:
- 7
- ISSN:
- 2198-3844
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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