Project Info
Enhancing lithium ion transport in thio-LISION solid-state electrolytes
Annalise Maughan
amaughan@mines.edu
Project Goals and Description:
All-solid-state batteries hold the potential to advance energy storage, with potential applications ranging from grid-scale storage to electric vehicles to portable electronics. However, realization of all-solid-state batteries is hindered by the lack of solid-state electrolytes that simultaneously exhibit high ionic conductivity and good electrochemical stability with lithium metal anodes. The goal of this project is to understand how lithium concentration impacts ion transport in thio-LISICON solid state electrolytes. The student will target and prepare alloys between Li5GaS4 and Li4GeS4 to form the series Li4+xGe1-xGaxS4 (0<x<1). Increasing the concentration of gallium (Ga) is accompanied by a commensurate increase in the lithium concentration. Materials will be prepared through solid-state synthesis methods. Lithium ion conductivity will be characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and stability of the materials with lithium metal anodes will be characterized with chronopotentiometry cycling experiments.
More Information:
Grand Challenge: Not applicable.
Primary Contacts:
Annalise Maughan, amaughan@mines.edu
Student Preparation
Qualifications
Students working on this project should have completed General Chemistry I and II and the corresponding laboratories. Coursework or prior research experience in materials science are preferred. The participating student must be able to balance chemical equations and perform stoichiometry calculations to target and synthesize new materials. The student must also exercise creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving.
TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)
5
SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED
The student engaged in this project will use solid-state chemical synthesis techniques to prepare known and yet-undiscovered solid-state electrolyte materials. The student will learn how to characterize their new materials through analysis of X-ray diffraction data. The student will be trained to collect their own data on a top-of-the-line X-ray diffractometer and to plot and analyze these data using Python scripting and through the use of dedicated analysis software. The student will also learn electrochemical characterization techniques to determine ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability, which the student will use to determine the utility of their materials for potential battery applications.
MENTORING PLAN
The participating student will be directly trained and mentored by a postdoctoral researcher in the group for day-to-day research activities, lab work, and data analysis. The faculty mentor will be involved as a mentor on a weekly basis through weekly group meetings and project updates.
Preferred Student Status
Sophomore
Junior