A phase-convertible fast ionic conductor with a monolithic plastic crystalline host

Seongsoo Lee, Janghyuk Moon, His Muhammad Bintang, Sunghee Shin, Hun Gi Jung, Seung Ho Yu, Si Hyoung Oh, Dongmok Whang, Hee Dae Lim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Designing a fast ionic conductor has been an essential issue in next-generation batteries based on all-solid-state systems, with specific application targets in large-scale energy storage devices. For this wide range of applications, high levels of ionic conductivity, as well as safety, should be preferentially ensured. However, current solid electrolyte technology is unable to meet the high standards of acceptable conductivity and becomes more problematic in multivalent-ion batteries. Herein, we have proposed a novel phase-convertible ionic conductor based on a monolithic succinonitrile (SN) plastic crystalline material. The unique properties of SN, with high polarity and high rotational degrees of freedom, enable it to dissolve Mg salts and allow for fast transport of cations in the solid phase. For the first time, a high Mg2+ion conductivity of 2.8 × 10−5S cm−1was demonstrated at room temperature, and high chemical and thermal stabilities with a wide electrochemically stable window were proven. The monolithic SN structure was able to process simple phase transitions between liquids and solids; therefore, the highly deformable phase-convertible ionic conductor enabled the formation of excellent conformal contact with the electrode. In addition, the origin of the high conductivity was theoretically investigated through density functional theory calculations. We believe that the unique host of monolithic SN is a useful platform with potential applicability for most kinds of cation with fast ion-conducting properties.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)10838-10845
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A
Volume9
Issue number17
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021 May 7

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by the Technology Development Program to Solve Climate Change of the National Research Foundation (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science & ICT (Grant Number: 2017M1A2A2044482), and KIST Institutional Program (Project No. 2E30211). DW acknowledges support from the National Research Foundation (NRF) funded by the Korean government (NRF-2021R1A2C2013378).

Publisher Copyright:
© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2021.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Chemistry(all)
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Materials Science(all)

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