A Series of Ternary Metal Chloride Superionic Conductors for High‐Performance All‐Solid‐State Lithium Batteries
Jianwen Liang, Eveline van der Maas, Jing Luo, Xiaona Li, Ning Chen, Keegan R. Adair, Weihan Li, Junjie Li, Yongfeng Hu, Jue Liu, Li Zhang, Shangqian Zhao, Shigang Lu, Jiantao Wang, Huan Huang, Wen-Xuan Zhao, Steven R. Parnell, Ronald I. Smith, Swapna Ganapathy, Marnix Wagemaker, Xueliang Sun
Abstract
Abstract Understanding the relationship between structure, ionic conductivity, and synthesis is the key to the development of superionic conductors. Here, a series of Li 3‐3 x M 1+ x Cl 6 (−0.14 < x ≤ 0.5, M = Tb, Dy, Ho, Y, Er, Tm) solid electrolytes with orthorhombic and trigonal structures are reported. The orthorhombic phase of Li–M–Cl shows an approximately one order of magnitude increase in ionic conductivities when compared to their trigonal phase. Using the Li–Ho–Cl components as an example, their structures, phase transition, ionic conductivity, and electrochemical stability are studied. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal the facile diffusion in the z ‐direction in the orthorhombic structure, rationalizing the improved ionic conductivities. All‐solid‐state batteries of NMC811/Li 2.73 Ho 1.09 Cl 6 /In demonstrate excellent electrochemical performance at both 25 and −10 °C. As relevant to the vast number of isostructural halide electrolytes, the present structure control strategy guides the design of halide superionic conductors.