Fast Li+ Self-Diffusion in Amorphous Li–Si Electrochemically Prepared from Semiconductor Grade, Monocrystalline Silicon: Insights from Spin-Locking Nuclear Magnetic Relaxometry

Abstract

Silicon is one of the most promising anode materials for lithium-based rechargeable batteries. Provided the volume changes during Li uptake can be brought under control, Li ion diffusivity is expected to crucially determine the performance of such next-generation energy storage systems. Therefore, studying diffusion properties in e.g. amorphous Li–Si underpins applied research that is being directed toward the development of powerful storage devices. So far, only little information is available on Li+ self-diffusion in amorphous Si. Here, we used 7Li NMR spectroscopy to precisely quantify microscopic activation energies and Li jump rates in amorphous Li–Si which is primarily formed if monocrystalline Si is lithiated electrochemically. Surprisingly, our results reveal relatively fast Li ion diffusivity with low activation energies for localized Li+ motions being in agreement with results from theory. The average activation energy for long-range ion transport is as high as ca. 0.65 eV; jump rates turn out to be in the order of 2.5 × 105 s–1 at 246 K. Our results point to complex dynamics that is most likely governed by nonexponential motional correlation functions originating from a distribution of activation energies. The data obtained might help optimizing Li-based silicon batteries whose performance critically depend on fast Li ion transport.