About this Abstract |
Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
Symposium
|
Advanced Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage 2025
|
Presentation Title |
Enhanced Mechanical Toughness in LLZO Solid Electrolytes Through Phase Transformation |
Author(s) |
Stephen Kevin Heywood, David Driscoll, Stephen Sofie |
On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Stephen Kevin Heywood |
Abstract Scope |
Solid-state batteries offer enhanced safety and increased energy densities but face challenges in the development of solid electrolytes. Recent advancements in electrolyte composition have shown improved electrochemical properties, such as ionic conductivity and maximum current density, yet mechanical properties remain a key hurdle. Through the use of micro-indentation-based fracture toughness measurements, along with Raman spectroscopy, Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD), and optical microscopy, we show a 250% improvement in toughness at the compositional boundary between cubic and tetragonal Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO), a prominent Li-ion conducting ceramic being considered for solid-state Li-ion batteries. This toughening effect is linked to pressure-induced phase transformation and twinning, intrinsic to LLZO lattice polymorphism. Transformation toughening is anticipated to support higher critical current densities and charge rates by enhancing mechanical resistance to dendrite propagation and redistributing ionic current near dendrite tips through local conductivity changes of the induced tetragonal phase. |
Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
Keywords |
Phase Transformations, Ceramics, Energy Conversion and Storage |