New Mixed Glass Former Glassy Solid Electrolytes: A New Compositional Tool to Optimize the Performance of Glassy Solid Electrolytes

Abstract

So far, sodium batteries operate at elevated temperatures due to the low Na+ ion conductivity in solid electrolytes. For this reason, higher conductivity Na+ ion conducting solid electrolytes are of interest and we are exploring new glass compositions with very high conductivities. In this talk, the Na+ ion conduction in and its relation to the structure of a series of previously well studied sodium borosilicate mixed glass former glassy solid electrolytes will be reported. B and Si MASS NMR measurements have been combined with IR and Raman vibrational spectroscopies to develop detailed models of the structures of these glasses. These models have been combined with measurements of both the Na+ ion conductivity and the physical properties to develop understandings of the unique role of boron in these glasses. Such new studies are able to yield new insights into the mechanisms of Na+ conduction in glassy solid electrolytes.