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Creators/Authors contains: "Truong, Erica"

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  1. Polycrystalline ion conductors are widely used as solid electrolytes in energy storage technologies. However, they often exhibit poor ion transport across grain boundaries and pores. This work demonstrates that strategically tuning the mesoscale microstructures, including pore size, pore distribution, and chemical compositions of grain boundaries, can improve ion transport. Using LiTa2PO8as a case study, we have shown that the combination of LiF as a sintering agent with Hf4+implantation improves grain-grain contact, resulting in smaller, evenly distributed pores, reduced chemical contrast, and minimized nonconductive impurities. A suite of techniques has been used to decouple the effects of LiF and Hf4+. Specifically, LiF modifies particle shape and breaks large pores into smaller ones, while Hf4+addresses the chemical mismatches between grains and grain boundaries. Consequently, this approach achieves nearly two orders of magnitude improvement in ion conduction. Tuning mesoscale structures offers a cost-effective method for enhancing ion transport in polycrystalline systems and has notable implications for synthesizing high-performance ionic materials. 
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    Free, publicly-accessible full text available May 16, 2026
  2. Free, publicly-accessible full text available January 10, 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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    Free, publicly-accessible full text available January 1, 2026
  4. Abstract All‐solid‐state potassium batteries emerge as promising alternatives to lithium batteries, leveraging their high natural abundance and cost‐effectiveness. Developing potassium solid electrolytes (SEs) with high room‐temperature ionic conductivity is critical for realizing efficient potassium batteries. In this study, we present the synthesis of K2.98Sb0.91S3.53Cl0.47, showcasing a room‐temperature ionic conductivity of 0.32 mS/cm and a low activation energy of 0.26 eV. This represents an increase of over two orders of magnitude compared to the parent compound K3SbS4, marking the highest reported ionic conductivity for non‐oxide potassium SEs. Solid‐state39K magic‐angle‐spinning nuclear magnetic resonance on K2.98Sb0.91S3.53Cl0.47reveals an increased population of mobile K+ions with fast dynamics. Ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations further confirm a delocalized K+density and significantly enhanced K+diffusion. This work demonstrates diversification of the anion sublattice as an effective approach to enhance ion transport and highlights K2.98Sb0.91S3.53Cl0.47as a promising SE for all‐solid‐state potassium batteries. 
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  5. 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+-Xinteractions 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+
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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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