MULTINUCLEAR NMR SPECTROSCOPY METHODS FOR THE STUDY OF STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS IN SOLID-STATE ELECTROLYTES FOR LITHIUM ION BATTERIES

Abstract

<p>This thesis evaluates several solid-state NMR spectroscopy approaches to studying lithium ion dynamics in solid-state electrolytes. With the goal of reducing the risks associated with current liquid electrolytes, solid-state electrolytes provide non-flammable materials that are also stable against attack by cathode and anode materials. Solid-state NMR spectroscopy offers a versatile method to determine structural details and can also provide information about ion mobility in solid-state electrolytes. Challenges involved in the study of solid-state electrolytes include the difficulty in distinguishing between ^6,7Li resonances due to the small chemical shift range of diamagnetic lithium species. The NMR methods selected in this thesis aim to circumvent some of these issues in order to determine structural and dynamic properties in solid-state electrolytes. Several different electrolytes have been examined including LaLi_0.5Fe_0.2O_2.09 and related materials, which exhibit intricate structural properties. ¹³⁹La NMR spectroscopy, in combination with ⁷Li MAS NMR spectroscopy, was used to determine the nature of this disorder. In addition, studies of the quadrupolar framework ⁸⁷Rb nucleus, which take advantage of its large electric field gradient, have been used to indirectly probe the activation energy for Ag⁺ ion hopping in the solid-state silver ion electrolyte RbAg₄I₅. Alternatively, dipolar coupling between ⁶Li and ⁷Li has been used to compare lithium ion hopping rates in Li₆BaLa₂M₂O₁₂ (M = Ta, Nb) using ⁶Li{⁷Li}-REDOR NMR studies. Finally, T₂ relaxation studies have been used to probe ion dynamics in Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ and LiVO₃ in order to determine if this is a viable method to study dynamics in these materials.</p>