High Temperature Operation Research Articles

The Impact of Binary Salt Blends’ Composition on Their Thermophysical Properties for Innovative Heat Storage Materials

Heat storage is an emerging field of research, and, therefore, new materials with enhanced properties are being developed. Examples of phase change materials that provide high heat storage are inorganic salts and salt mixtures. They are commonly used for industrial applications due to their high operational temperature and latent heat. These parameters can be modified by combining different types of salts. This paper presents the experimental study of the impact of the composition of binary salts on their thermophysical properties. Unlike the literature data, this article provides a detailed analysis of the phase change process in both directions: solid–liquid and liquid–solid. The results indicate that the highest latent heat was observed for a 70% NaNO3 content in the NaNO3–KNO3 mixture. Therefore, when this salt is used for heat storage, the most favorable choice is a 70:30 ratio, which provides the highest heat storage density and the lowest phase transition temperature. In the case of the NaNO3–NaNO2 mixture, the highest value of latent heat occurs for a ratio of 80:20, resulting in phase transition temperatures of 267.0 °C for the solid–liquid transition, and 253.5 °C for the liquid–solid transition. For heat storage applications, it is recommended to use pure NaNO2 salt instead of the NaNO3–NaNO2 mixture.

Highly sensitive room-temperature ammonia sensor based on PbS quantum dots modified SnS2 nanosheets and theoretical investigation on its sensing mechanism by DFT calculation

Real-time accurate detection of hazardous gases is an urgent issue for industrial development and safeguarding public health. However, large-scale application of gas sensors in the network requires low-power consumption of sensing device for successful integration in smart platform. Although traditional ammonia (NH3) sensors based on semiconductor materials possess various advantages, it still remains the challenge in high operating temperature. Herein, PbS quantum dots (QDs) with higher adsorption energy were used to sensitize SnS2 nanosheets with electron transport capacity to achieve excellent NH3 sensing performance. PbS QDs with an approximately diameter of 10 nm were dispersed on SnS2 nanosheets with an average thickness of 14 nm. Impressively, the optimal sensor employing PbS QDs/SnS2 nanocomposites exhibited high sensor response of 8.5 to 100 ppm NH3, good response/recovery times of 9 s/720 s, as well as excellent selectivity, repeatability, and long-term stability at room temperature of 25 °C. The adsorption behavior and electronic structure of PbS QDs/SnS2 nanocomposites before and after NH3 adsorption were investigated based on density functional theory calculation. Moreover, the sensing mechanism of PbS QDs/SnS2 nanocomposites was also discussed. The designed PbS QDs/SnS2 nanocomposites hold considerable promise as a candidate in realizing superior NH3 sensing performance at room temperature.

Fe‐Mediated Tweaking of Band Bending and Activation Energy in α‐MoO3 Nano Lamella for Enhanced NO2 Gas Detection Under Low Operating Temperature

AbstractConcern over increasing pollution and ways to mitigate it is in high demand due to the swift advancement of technology and the creation of advanced utilities. Nitrogen oxide (NO2) is a well‐known evolved toxin that poses a threat to human health, the environment, and biodiversity. Therefore, several works are carried to sense the NO2 gas at its trace concentration. However, the majority of NO2 sensors that have been reported have inadequate Limit of Detection (LOD), high operating temperature, and low sensitivity. Orthorhombic molybdenum oxide (α‐MoO3) recently emerged as hotspot in the gas sensing research and noted for its high sensitivity, and distinct sensing capabilities owing to its unique layered structure. In this study, Fe‐doped α‐MoO3 nanosheets for NO2 sensing is prepared, and at a low operating temperature of 110 °C, an excellent sensitivity of 1282% for 10 ppm of NO2 is achieved. Long‐term stability, good repeatability, and an ultra‐low detection limit of 79 ppt are also demonstrated by the manufactured sensors. In addition, the obtained low activation energy of ‐2.9 KJ mol−1 and the high band bending for FM6 supports the highly responsive NO2 detection at low operating temperatures.

Solution infiltrated lanthanum nickelate–GDC composite cathode via flash-light sintering for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) require high operating temperatures to minimize the oxygen reduction reaction resistance at cathode and increase the ionic conductivity of oxygen. However, at high operating temperatures, their stability during long-term operation degrades because of material deterioration and the mutual chemical reactions occurring at the interfaces. Herein, an electrode–electrolyte composite is fabricated by solution infiltration of lanthanum nickelate (LNO) electrode material into a GDC electrolyte layer to ensure more reaction sites compared with the conventional powder mixing of the electrode and electrolyte material. Further, the conventional thermal sintering process is replaced with the flash-light sintering process. Thus, the performance of the LNO–GDC cathode cell manufactured by flash-light sintering improves owing to suppression of grain growth of the infiltrated LNO particles. The microstructures of the infiltrated solution and composite layer of the electrolyte material are analyzed using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and the crystallinity of the LNO nanoparticles is analyzed using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. A maximum power density of 1.1 W/cm2 is achieved, an improvement of 58 % over the LSCF cell without infiltration at 750 ℃. This study is expected to contribute to the commercialization of SOFCs by replacing conventional thermal sintering.

Enhancing hydrogen storage properties of MgH2 via reaction-induced construction of Ti/Co/Mn-based multiphase catalytic system

The inherent kinetic limitations and high operating temperatures of magnesium hydride (MgH2) hinder its practical applications. Herein, we report the successful synthesis of a TiO2@MnCo2O4.5 composite transition metal oxide catalyst and investigate its effect on the hydrogen storage performance of MgH2. TiO2@MnCo2O4.5 exhibits exceptional catalytic activity in the hydrogen dissociation and recombination reactions of during absorption and desorption processes, reducing the dehydrogenation activation energy of MgH2 to 75.54 kJ/mol. Notably, the MgH2-6 wt% TiO2@MnCo2O4.5 system releases 6.04 wt% H2 within 30 min at 250 °C, and 4.98 wt% H2 within 120 min at 225 °C. Furthermore, it can absorb 5.08 wt% H2 within 3 min at 150 °C and achieve a hydrogen absorption capacity of 2.02 wt% within 30 min even at 30 °C. The reaction-induced decomposition and phase transformation of TiO2@MnCo2O4.5 create a multiphase, multi-site catalytic environment. The hydrogen storage system based on the coexistence of Mg6MnO8, Mn, Ti2O3, and CoO features abundant diffusion pathways and nucleation sites, playing a critical role in suppressing the energy barriers for MgH2 hydrogen absorption and desorption reactions. These findings provide a meaningful theoretical foundation for the microstructural optimization and performance regulation of Mg-based hydrogen storage materials.

Using MCFC for capturing CO2 from flue gases and delivering to Sabatier reactor for SNG synthesis

In contemporary power generation, enhancing efficiency and mitigating environmental contamination are of paramount importance. The imperative to curtail greenhouse gas emissions stands as a preeminent challenge within this sector. Concurrently, there is a marked surge in the exploitation of renewable energy sources, which, due to their intermittent nature, precipitates the imperative for advanced energy storage solutions. This paper introduces an integrated system designed to address both the reduction of CO2 emissions and the storage of energy. The advocated system integrates a Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC), Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC), and a Sabatier reactor. The MCFC is employed for its proficient CO2 capture capabilities at the cathode, exhibiting remarkable efficiency, operational flexibility, and a high CO2 separation quotient. The SOEC is recognized for its effective hydrogen production, leveraging high operational temperatures to augment hydrogen output while diminishing electrical energy consumption through thermal energy substitution. The Sabatier reactor is utilized for catalytic methanation, transforming CO2 into Substitute Natural Gas—a compound predominantly comprising methane and hydrogen with minimal CO2 and water traces. This system facilitates the capture and utilization of over 80% of CO2 from exhaust fumes, achieving an overall energy efficiency of 71%. The system's design and off-design operational parameters were meticulously modeled and analyzed.

Investigation of Factors Affecting Corrosion Mechanisms in Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage Systems

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants integrated with Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage (LHTES) systems offer a promising solution for dispatchability, reliability, and economic concerns generally associated with renewable energy technologies. These systems, however, require an operational life of up to 30 years to compete with power plant systems operating on fossil fuels. This is a significant challenge due to the high temperatures and corrosive eutectic salts utilised in LHTES systems. Additionally, these systems and its subcomponents are expected to be under varying degrees of stress due to the diurnal cyclic temperature variations inherent in the plant’s operational cycle. Hence, it is crucial to understand the various factors that can affect the operational life of materials used in such applications and conduct thorough material compatibility studies to assess the combined impact of these operating conditions on corrosion mechanisms. This study presents a novel static immersion test approach using modified Compact Tension (CT) specimens manufactured from 316L to investigate the effects of Na2CO3:NaCl (59.45:40.55 wt.%) salt, elevated temperatures (700 ℃ for up to 1000 hours), and stress on corrosion induced in the alloy. The post-exposure results are characterised with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) shows that corrosion mechanisms are significantly affected by factors such as high operating temperatures leading to changes in both corrosion morphology and rate, high stresses causing localised preferential corrosion, as well as corrosive salt and oxygen availability affecting the type of corrosion induced.

A CuO/MoO3-based SO2 gas sensor with moisture resistance and ultra-fast response at 90°C

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a toxic and harmful decomposition product generated during arc discharge or partial discharge in sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) electrical equipment, which can corrode internal pipelines. Detecting SO2 is crucial for assessing the insulation condition of equipment and preventing faults. To overcome the challenges faced by traditional SO2 gas sensors, including high operating temperatures, slow response times, and poor moisture resistance, this paper proposes a novel SO2 gas sensor based on CuO/MoO3. The morphology, composition, and chemical states of the materials were analyzed using different characterization techniques. At 90°C, the S2 sensor (CuO: MoO3=1: 1) exhibited a fast response time (10 s) to 10 ppm SO2 and demonstrated good moisture resistance (a 1 % change in relative humidity (RH) has the same effect on the sensor as 25.9 ppb SO2). The response of the S2 sensor to 100 ppm SO2 was 26.5. Additionally, the voltage sensitivity of the S2 sensor at low (1–10 ppm) and high (10–100 ppm) concentrations are 658.74 mV/ppm and 33.43 mV/ppm, respectively. Therefore, the S2 sensor is more suitable for low concentration conditions. These good sensing characteristics of the S2 sensor are owing to the high content of oxygen vacancies (39.2 %) and the heterojunction effect in the composite material. Additionally, this sensor exhibits excellent anti-interference capabilities, including moisture resistance and high selectivity. Therefore, the CuO/MoO3-based SO2 gas sensor can be effectively applied to detect the decomposition of SF6.

A Robust Adenine-Based Microporous Metal-Organic Framework with Hydrophobic Alkyl Groups and Abundant Lewis Basic Sites for CO2/N2 Separation.

The development of a chemically robust metal-organic framework (MOF) with appropriate pore nanospace for efficient CO2 capture and separation from flue gas under humid conditions is sought after. Herein, an adenine-based microporous MOF, Cu-AD-SA, bearing abundant Lewis basic sites and alkyl groups has been utilized to capture and separate CO2 from CO2/N2 gas mixtures. The introduction of alkyl groups enable Cu-AD-SA with high chemical stability. The confined pore nanospace involving small pore size and functionalized pore surface decorated by Lewis basic amino and alkyl groups bestows the framework with stronger CO2 affinity versus N2, thus resulting in a high CO2/N2 separation performance even at high operating temperature (323 K) and humidity (80%), as evidenced by breakthrough experiments. Moreover, molecular modeling studies were implemented to establish the adsorption mechanism, in which the ditopic aliphatic carboxylic acids and adenine linkers collaboratively play a vital role in the separation of CO2/N2 gas mixtures via C-H···OCO2, CCO2···O, CCO2···N, and CCO2···π interactions.

Multi-objective, multi-constraint high-throughput design, synthesis, and characterization of tungsten-containing refractory multi-principal element alloys

Refractory multi-principal element alloys (RMPEAs) have gained interest recently due to their superior properties at elevated temperatures, including outstanding yield and ultimate strengths, high thermal conductivity, and resistance to creep. RMPEAs can be designed to exhibit a wide range of properties by tailoring their composition. However, the vast chemical design space makes brute-force experimental screening inefficient and costly. In this work, we follow a closed-loop, iterative computational/experimental screening approach that combines computational alloy design methodologies with high-throughput synthesis and characterization tools to explore the vast RMPEAs space and design new RMPEAs that satisfy multiple objectives and constraints. In particular, we targeted compositions with yield strengths higher than 50 MPa at 2000 °C, W content of more than 30 at.% for high-temperature strength and operability up to 2000 °C, narrow solidification range for additive manufacturability, competitive ductility metrics, among other property constraints. We evaluated the mechanical properties and microstructure of 58 alloys designed in 5 batches, in both as-cast and homogenized conditions, synthesized using vacuum arc melting, utilizing scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Vickers microhardness, nanoindentation, and high-temperature compression testing. Based on the microhardness screening experiments in each batch, the best-performing alloys were selected for scale-up. High-temperature compression at 1800 °C was performed in these alloys, demonstrating that the designed alloys exhibit up to five times higher yield strength than a pure tungsten benchmark. We conclude that W-containing RMPEAs designed in this study merit further consideration for next-generation structural materials for ultra-high temperature applications.

Centimeter-scale single-crystal hexagonal boron nitride freestanding thick films as high-performance VUV photodetectors

Large-scale hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) single crystals are highly desirable not only as the substrate or dielectric for van der Waals heterostructures, but also the promising candidates in optoelectronics, electronics, detectors, as well as recently boomed room-temperature single-photon sources. Here, we report the synthesis of centimeter-scale single-crystal h-BN films with hundreds of micrometer thickness via the metal flux method. The growth control along the out-of-plane and in-plane directions of h-BN crystals is realized by the adjustment of NiCr alloy composition, from which the limited solubility of N atoms can be promoted by high diffusion in molten reactants. This also benefits to forming a distinct interface between the synthesized h-BN crystals and the metal ingot, giving rise to an easy exfoliation of the large area high-quality thick films. Such h-BN crystals have been demonstrated as both self-powered flexible and rigid vacuum-ultraviolet photodetectors, allowing for efficient photodetection in terms of high responsivity, rapid response speed, and high operational temperature. A maximum photoresponsivity of 3.35 mA/W is achieved at a wavelength of 185 nm with an operational temperature spanning to 500 °C (and possibly beyond). The large-area freestanding h-BN single crystal described herein reveals great potential as a high-performance photodetector, and versatile platform for other superb electronic and optoelectronic devices.

Rapid and highly sensitive gas sensing with La-doped SnO2 hollow nanospheres towards NO2 detection at room temperature

The constant challenges associated with metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) gas sensors, such as high operating temperature, low gas-sensing response, and prolonged recovery time towards NO2 restrain their practical application. Herein, we put forward a novel thought via utilizing the synergistic interplay between La doping modification and chip rapid heating treatment to solve these drawbacks. Wherein, the 3 at% La-doped SnO2 nanospheres treated at 200℃ by rapid chip heating (referred to as 3LS-200 NSs) exhibited exceptional performance. At room temperature, these nanospheres demonstrated a highly sensitive response of 3008–20 ppm NO2 within a rapid response time of 9 seconds. Furthermore, this sensor exhibited a low detection limit of 200 ppb and long-term stability. The oxygen vacancy content of 3LS-200 NSs increased by 10.8 % compared with that prepared by normal heating treatment (3LS-200NH NSs) with slow heating rate. The exceptional gas sensing properties of 3LS-200 NSs towards NO2 can be primarily attributed to the increase of oxygen vacancies, resulting in a reduced bandgap and the Fermi level shift of 0.07 eV toward the conduction band edge, hence enhancing surface electron transfer capability. This work presents a simple and energy-efficient strategy for commercial NO2 detection.

Solution-processed NO2 gas sensor based on poly(3-hexylthiophene)-doped PbS quantum dots operable at room temperature

The global industrial development and increase in the number of transportation vehicles, such as automobiles and ships, have led to a steady increase in the issues related to greenhouse gas emissions. NO2 is a greenhouse gas emitted in large quantities from automobiles and factories, and its emission is unavoidable in the modern world. Therefore, a sensor capable of precise detection of NO2 is required. The most commonly reported types of NO2 sensors are those based on metal oxides. However, their operation at room temperature is impossible owing to their high-temperature operating characteristics, and therefore, a heater must be designed inside or installed outside the sensor for heating. Meanwhile, NO2 sensors based on PbS quantum dots (QDs) are advantageous as they can operate at room temperature and can be easily manufactured through a solution process rather than a complicated semiconductor process. Herein, a NO2 sensor was fabricated by doping PbS QDs with poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). The as-developed sensor exhibited high responsivity to 100–0.4-ppm NO2 gas with a resolution of 200 ppb owing to the stability of the thin film and high hole mobility of P3HT.

Uncovering accurate values of the polarization resistance in molten fluorides using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

High-temperature operation and the presence of oxidizing impurities in molten chloride and fluoride salts pose significant corrosion risks to structural alloys in molten salt nuclear reactors. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) offers an operando, real-time method to study the instantaneous corrosion behavior of these materials non-destructively. However, signal noises may originate from sources extraneous to the electrochemical systems that limit the ability to perform quality impedance measurements in low-frequency regime where polarization resistance (Rp) dominates. Using the exposure of pure Cr in molten LiF-NaF-KF containing 1 wt% EuF3 at 600 °C as a model corrosion system, the extent of Non-Uniform Current and Potential (NUCP) distribution during an AC perturbation associate with the disk electrodes is evaluated in terms of two dimensionless correction factors kfRct(=Rct/Reff) and kfCdl(=Cdl/Ceff). Results show that a small area Cr disk electrode increases the transition frequency that marks the dominance of Rp to a conventional terminational frequency above 10−2 Hz, enabling a reliable charge-transfer resistance (Rct) value to be determined via circle fitting of an electrical equivalent circuit model (ECM) model. Experimental results were supported by EIS simulations considering commonly used ECM models that factor in the NUCP effect of disk geometries.

Anti-Wilson mechanism for adjusting bandgap and electronic transport property of a half-Heusler material LiCdP

Using first-principles calculations, we have found that LiCdP, an existing half-Heusler material, exhibits an anti-Wilson mechanism for adjusting the bandgap. Specifically, instead of widening according to the conventional Wilson mechanism, the bandgap shows a significant decrease in response to lattice strain, eventually closing at 5.02% tensile strain. This anti-Wilson mechanism is attributed to the weakened repulsion between the 3s and 5s orbitals of the P and Cd atoms, respectively, as observed by the analysis of the neighbouring atomic orbital coupling. In addition, we have found that the ZT value, which measures the thermoelectric efficiency of this material, can reach 1.33 at a temperature of T = 1200 K when lattice strain is induced by thermal expansion. This result suggests that LiCdP is an excellent thermoelectric material in a high operating temperature range. From the point of view of actual applications, such an interesting tunability of the bandgap of LiCdP provides a novel alternative for designing electronic or optoelectronic devices in a controllable way.

A theoretical investigation into the impact of temperature and band gap variation of La2NiMnO6 oxide double perovskite nanostructures on the performance of La2NiMnO6/MASnI3 based hybrid solar cells

The study aimed at simulating a model of bilayer La2NiMnO6/MASnI3 hybrid perovskite solar cell having a potential benefit of better stability at higher operating temperature with higher band gap of LNMO. This numerical analysis of La2NiMnO6/MASnI3 based hybrid solar cell performance parameters has been carried out as a function of temperature and optical band gap (Eg) of La2NiMnO6 (LNMO). The analysis reveals that the fill factor of solar cells operated at room temperature has not been affected too much on varying Eg of LNMO and decreases non-linearly with increasing operating temperature. The open circuit voltage of solar cells operated at room temperature increases with increasing Eg of LNMO and drops linearly with increasing operating temperature. The short-circuit current density (JSC) increases non-linearly at different rates with increasing the operating temperature. The value of dη/dT increases up to a critical temperature (Tc) and then decreases in the solar cells comprised with higher Eg of LNMO (Eg ∼ 1.50 eV–1.60 eV). The Tc value was shifted towards higher operating temperature in the higher Eg of LNMO (Eg ≥ 1.50 eV), enabling more stable solar cell at higher operating temperature.

Silicon p-i-n Mesa-Photodiode Technology

The paper proposes the technology of silicon p-i-n mesa-photodiodes, which allows to exclude one high-temperature operation from the technological route. Reducing the number of thermal operations reduces the degree of degradation of the electro-physical characteristics of silicon during heat treatment, which also contributes to reducing the density of surface states at the SiSiO2 interface. It is proposed to etch the mesa-profile by the method of chemical-dynamic polishing using a gold masking coating. The obtained photodiodes are cheaper than serial samples made by diffusion-planar technology and have higher sensitivity.

Dual-phase zirconate/tantalate high-entropy ceramics boost thermal properties and fracture toughness for thermal barrier coating materials

Working temperatures, thermal insulation performance, and life span of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are primarily influenced by their high-temperature stability, thermal expansion coefficients (TECs), thermal conductivity, and fracture toughness. To address the limitations of current zirconate- and tantalate-based oxides, dual-phase zirconate/tantalate high-entropy ceramics (HECs) are designed and synthesized to improve their thermal and mechanical properties. The combined effects of high entropy, high concentrations of oxygen vacancies, and relatively low phonon velocity result in glass-like thermal conductivity, with a minimum value of 1.55 W m−1 K−1 at 1200 °C. The high TECs (10.6–10.9 × 10−6 K−1 at 1400 °C) and exceptional high-temperature stability demonstrate that these materials can withstand 1300 °C for more than 300 h, significantly surpassing the performance of traditional yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ). Compared with YSZ (3.6 MPa m1/2) and YTaO4 (2.5 MPa m1/2), the increments in fracture toughness (4.4 MPa m1/2) of dual-phase zirconate/tantalate HECs are as high as 22.2% and 76.0%, respectively. It is evident that the designed dual-phase zirconate/tantalate HECs can effectively promote thermal properties and fracture toughness, positioning them as the next-generation TBCs with high operating temperatures and outstanding thermal insulation performance.

Study on turbine blade overall cooling effectiveness under thermal radiation and non-uniform inlet temperature

As the inlet temperature of the turbine continues to rise, if only heat conduction and convective heat transfer are considered, the temperature difference between numerical simulation and experimental will become apparent. The overall cooling effectiveness is generally used to evaluate the effect of cooling structures. However, the overall cooling effectiveness of turbine blades is difficult to measure directly due to the high temperature and pressure operating conditions. If the analogy method is established, the measurement of the overall cooling effectiveness of turbine blades under engine conditions can be carried out under experimental conditions. Therefore, it is important to study the analogy method of overall cooling effectiveness under thermal radiation. The analogy method of the overall cooling effectiveness under thermal radiation was established through one-dimensional coupled heat transfer analysis, which proposed to match the radiation term by Burger number and Boltzmann number. The matching characteristics under non-uniform inlet temperature were analyzed using numerical simulation. The results show that the method of matching the radiation term of overall cooling effectiveness is verified by numerical results. The effect of non-uniform inlet temperature on the overall cooling effectiveness matching is strongly correlated with temperature ratio, so the matching of temperature ratio should be prioritized.

Electronically Conductive Polymer Enhanced Solid-State Polymer Electrolytes for All-Solid-State Lithium Batteries

All-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) have gained enormous interest due to their potential high energy density, high performance, and inherent safety characteristics for advanced energy storage systems. Although solid-state ceramic (inorganic) electrolytes (SSCEs) have high ionic conductivity and high electrochemical stability, they experience some significant drawbacks, such as poor electrolyte/electrode interfacial properties and poor mechanical characteristics (brittle, fragile), which can hinder their adoption for commercialization. Typically, SSCE-based ASSLBs require high cell stack pressures exerted by heavy fixtures for regular operation, which can reduce the energy density of the overall battery packages. Polymer–SSCE composite electrolytes can provide inherently good interfacial contacts with the electrodes that do not require high cell stack pressures. In this study, we explore the feasibility of incorporating an electronically and ionically conducting polymer, polypyrrole (PPy), into a polymer backbone, polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP), to improve the ionic conductivity of the resultant polymer–SSCE composite electrolyte (SSPE). The electronically conductive polymer-incorporated composite electrolyte showed superior room temperature ionic conductivity and electrochemical performance compared to the baseline sample (without PPy). The PPy-incorporated polymer electrolyte demonstrated a high resilience to high temperature operation compared with the liquid-electrolyte counterpart. This performance advantage can potentially be employed in ASSLBs that operate at high temperatures. In our recent development efforts, SSPEs with optimal formulations showed room temperature ionic conductivity of 2.5 × 10−4 S/cm. The data also showed, consistently, that incorporating PPy into the polymer backbone helped boost the ionic conductivity with various SSPE formulations, consistent with the current study. Electrochemical performance of ASSLBs with the optimized SSPEs will be presented in a separate publication. The current exploratory study has shown the feasibility and benefits of the novel approach as a promising method for the research and development of next-generation solid composite electrolyte-based ASSLBs.