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Creators/Authors contains: "Hou, Dewen"

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  1. Free, publicly-accessible full text available November 28, 2026
  2. The Cl–S mixed-anion sublattice of Li1.6AlCl3.4S0.6creates face- and edge-shared octahedra that connect to form 3D ion conduction pathways with low activation energy barriers. 
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    Free, publicly-accessible full text available January 29, 2026
  3. Li3.6In7S11.8Cl has a face-centered cubic arrangement of S2−/Clstabilized by Li+/In3+that form 3D ion conduction paths. The moisture stability and fast ion conduction make Li3.6In7S11.8Cl a promising electrolyte for solid-state batteries. 
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  4. Free, publicly-accessible full text available February 1, 2026
  5. Understanding of structural and morphological evolution in nanomaterials is critical in tailoring their functionality for applications such as energy conversion and storage. Here, we examine irradiation effects on the morphology and structure of amorphous TiO2 nanotubes in comparison with their crystalline counterpart, anatase TiO2 nanotubes, using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM), in situ ion irradiation TEM, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Anatase TiO2 nanotubes exhibit morphological and structural stability under irradiation due to their high concentration of grain boundaries and surfaces as defect sinks. On the other hand, amorphous TiO2 nanotubes undergo irradiation-induced crystallization, with some tubes remaining only partially crystallized. The partially crystalline tubes bend due to internal stresses associated with densification during crystallization as suggested by MD calculations. These results present a novel irradiation-based pathway for potentially tuning structure and morphology of energy storage materials. 
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  6. 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 Brintroduction 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 Brintroduction 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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