CAREER: Atomic-Scale Origins of Fast Ion Conduction through Complex Solid-State Electrochemical Interfaces

非技术描述：陶瓷材料是清洁能源技术的关键。具体而言，使用陶瓷作为介质在正负极之间传导离子的下一代固态电池，可以比当今传统的液基锂离子电池技术提高安全性和能量密度。然而，陶瓷中的离子传输能力还不足以使电池充电更快，以用于电动汽车和高功率应用。为了解决这一关键问题，本项目旨在研究材料的结构和界面如何影响复杂电化学条件下的离子传导。先进的电子显微镜技术被用来在纳米尺度上可视化这些基本过程。这一点很重要，因为获得的科学知识可以作为设计规则，指导可行的储能技术的开发，提高能源安全性和可持续性。该项目为各级各类学生提供显微镜和分析工具方面的培训，并促进妇女和代表性不足的少数群体更广泛地参与劳动力发展。该教育和推广计划旨在“了解纳米技术和材料经验（FunMe）”，通过利用与当地和全国性计划合作的少数民族服务计划，为本科生和K-12学生提供暑期研究实习生和课外活动。具有高离子电导率和界面稳定性的固态电解质是至关重要的，迫切需要实现安全和高性能的全电解质。下一代储能技术的固态电池。该CAREER项目旨在从根本上了解通过陶瓷固态电解质的复杂电化学界面快速锂离子传导的原子级起源。具体而言，晶界微观结构，成分的异质性，和空间电荷引起的静电势的离子电导率以及相关的电化学机械界面降解机制的影响将阐明使用原位透射电子显微镜集成与操作电化学阻抗谱在无空气的环境下。所获得的新知识将为微结构优化和界面工程提供设计原则，以提高电池性能和稳定性。这项研究将对基础理论，显微镜方法学和技术上可行的能源密集型应用全固态电池的进步产生多方面的影响。综合教育和推广计划提供了一个独特的以显微镜为中心的STEM管道，以吸引研究生，本科生和K-12学生，提高妇女和代表性不足的少数民族的更广泛参与，并通过相互关联的教学，指导，培训，该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的评估，被认为是值得支持的。影响审查标准。

NON-TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Ceramic materials are essential for clean energy technologies. Specifically, the next-generation solid-state batteries using ceramics as a medium to conduct ions between positive and negative electrodes can improve the safety and energy density over today’s conventional liquid-based lithium-ion battery technology. However, the ability of ion transport in ceramics is not high enough to make batteries charge faster for use in electric vehicles and high-power applications. To solve this critical issue, this project aims to study how the material’s structures and interfaces affect the ion conduction under complex electrochemical conditions. Advanced electron microscopy techniques are used to visualize these fundamental processes on the nanometer scale. This is important because the obtained scientific knowledge can be used as design rules to guide the development of viable energy storage technologies, enhancing the energy security and sustainability. This project provides training on microscopy and analytical tools for diverse students at all levels and promotes broader participation of women and underrepresented minorities in the workforce development. The education and outreach program designed “for understanding nanotechnology and materials experience (FunMe)” offers summer research interns and extracurricular activities for undergraduate and K-12 students by leveraging the minority-serving programs partnered with local and nationwide initiatives.TECHNICAL DETAILS: Solid-state electrolytes with high ionic conductivity and interfacial stability are vital and urgently needed to enable safe and high-performance all-solid-state batteries for the next generation energy storage technology. This CAREER project aims to fundamentally understand the atomic-scale origin of fast lithium-ion conduction through complex electrochemical interfaces of ceramic solid-state electrolytes. Specifically, the effects of grain boundary microstructure, compositional heterogeneity, and space charge induced electrostatic potential on the ionic conductivity as well as the correlated electro-chemo-mechanical interface degradation mechanism will be elucidated using in situ transmission electron microscopy integrated with operando electrochemical impedance spectroscopy under air-free environments. The gained new knowledge will provide design principles for microstructural optimization and interfacial engineering to improve the cell performance and stability. This research will have multifaceted impacts on the advancements of fundamental theories, microscopy methodologies, and technically viable all-solid-state batteries for energy-intensive applications. The integrated education and outreach program offers a unique microscopy-centric STEM pipeline to engage graduate, undergraduate, and K-12 students, enhance broader participation of women and underrepresented minorities, and support their career development and work readiness through interrelated teaching, mentoring, training, and outreach activities.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.