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Title: A free-standing lithium phosphorus oxynitride thin film electrolyte promotes uniformly dense lithium metal deposition with no external pressure

Journal Article · · Nature Nanotechnology

Lithium phosphorus oxynitride (LiPON) is an amorphous solid electrolyte that has been extensively studied over the last three decades. Despite the promise of pairing it with various electrode materials, LiPON’s rigidity and air sensitivity set limitations to understanding its intrinsic properties. We report a methodology to synthesize LiPON in a free-standing form that manifests remarkable flexibility and a Young’s modulus of ∼33 GPa. We use solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance and differential scanning calorimetry to quantitatively reveal the chemistry of the Li/LiPON interface and the presence of a well-defined LiPON glass-transition temperature of 207 °C. Combining interfacial stress and a gold seeding layer, our free-standing LiPON shows a uniformly dense deposition of lithium metal without the aid of external pressure. This free-standing LiPON film offers opportunities to study fundamental properties of LiPON for interface engineering for solid-state batteries.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); National Science Foundation (NSF)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-07NA27344; SC0002357; ECCS-2025752; CHE-1338173; DMR-2011967
OSTI ID:
2315088
Report Number(s):
LLNL-JRNL-860525; 1091013
Journal Information:
Nature Nanotechnology, Vol. 18, Issue 12; ISSN 1748-3387
Publisher:
Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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