NIST has developed a novel class of superionic conductor materials that could revolutionize all-solid-state batteries. These materials combine metal cations (like Li+ or Na+) with large polyhedral borate and/or carbaborate anions to form new ionic salt compounds. When treated with particle-size reduction and compound mixing, these materials remain in their superionic state at all temperatures, making them ideal fast-ion solid electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries.
The key advantages of these new materials include:
– High ionic conductivities at technically relevant device temperatures
– Favorable electrochemical and thermal stability
– Simple and easy processing methods
This breakthrough could finally provide the safe, high-performance solid electrolytes needed for next-generation all-solid-state energy devices, potentially accelerating the development of safer, more efficient batteries for electric vehicles, grid storage, and consumer electronics.
Keywords: borates, carbaborates, superionic