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2LiX-GaF₃(X = Cl, Br, I) electrolytes offer favorable features for solid-state batteries: mechanical pliability and high conductivities. However, understanding the origin of fast ion transport in 2LiX-GaF₃has been challenging. The ionic conductivity order of 2LiCl-GaF₃(3.20 mS/cm) > 2LiBr-GaF₃(0.84 mS/cm) > 2LiI-GaF₃(0.03 mS/cm) contradicts binary LiCl (10⁻¹²S/cm) < LiBr (10⁻¹⁰S/cm) < LiI (10⁻⁷S/cm). Using multinuclear⁷Li,⁷¹Ga,¹⁹F solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance and density functional theory simulations, we found that Ga(F,X)_npolyanions boost Li⁺-ion transport by weakening Li⁺-X⁻interactions via charge clustering. In 2LiBr-GaF₃and 2LiI-GaF₃, Ga-X coordination is reduced with decreased F participation, compared to 2LiCl-GaF₃. These insights will inform electrolyte design based on charge clustering, applicable to various ion conductors. This strategy could prove effective for producing highly conductive multivalent cation conductors such as Ca²⁺and Mg²⁺, as charge clustering of carboxylates in proteins is found to decrease their binding to Ca²⁺and Mg²⁺.

The key component in lithium solid‐state batteries (SSBs) is the solid electrolyte composed of lithium superionic conductors (SICs). Lithium oxide SICs offer improved electrochemical and chemical stability compared with sulfides, and their recent advancements have largely been achieved using materials in the garnet‐ and NASICON (sodium superionic conductor)‐ structured families. In this work, using the ion‐conduction mechanisms in garnet and NASICON as inspiration, a common pattern of an “activated diffusion network” and three structural features that are beneficial for superionic conduction: a 3D percolation Li diffusion network, short distances between occupied Li sites, and the “homogeneity” of the transport path are identified. A high‐throughput computational screening is performed to search for new lithium oxide SICs that share these features. From this search, seven candidates are proposed exhibiting high room‐temperature ionic conductivity evaluated using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. Their structural frameworks including spinel, oxy‐argyrodite, sodalite, and LiM(SeO₃)₂present new opportunities for enriching the structural families of lithium oxide SICs.

The interfacial instability between a thiophosphate solid electrolyte and oxide cathodes results in rapid capacity fade and has driven the need for cathode coatings. In this work, the stability, evolution, and performance of uncoated, Li₂ZrO₃‐coated, and Li₃B₁₁O₁₈‐coated LiNi_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3O₂cathodes are compared using first‐principles computations and electron microscopy characterization. Li₃B₁₁O₁₈is identified as a superior coating that exhibits excellent oxidation/chemical stability, leading to substantially improved performance over cells with Li₂ZrO₃‐coated or uncoated cathodes. The chemical and structural origin of the different performance is interpreted using different microscopy techniques which enable the direct observation of the phase decomposition of the Li₂ZrO₃coating. It is observed that Li is already extracted from the Li₂ZrO₃in the first charge, leading to the formation of ZrO₂nanocrystallites with loss of protection of the cathode. After 50 cycles separated (Co, Ni)‐sulfides and Mn‐sulfides can be observed within the Li₂ZrO₃‐coated material. This work illustrates the severity of the interfacial reactions between a thiophosphate electrolyte and oxide cathode and shows the importance of using coating materials that are absolutely stable at high voltage.