Conventional lithium rechargeable batteries contain solid electrodes and liquid electrolytes, which can have potential security risks concerning volatilization, flammability and explosion. Demand for safe, high-energy lithium-ion batteries is increasing. Solid-state electrolytes could eliminate most of the safety concerns encountered with liquid electrolytes. In this review, we discuss existing solid electrolytes including inorganic solid electrolytes, solid polymer electrolytes, and composite solid electrolytes. We systematically summarize and visually display the current limitations of solid electrolytes and efforts to overcome them with the objective of large-scale development. The development of flexible, lithium–sulfur and lithium–air batteries containing solid electrolytes is described. The Materials Genome Initiative, which was designed to allow efficient selection of solid electrolytes, is also introduced.

The pursuit of solid-state electrolytes for lithium batteries: from comprehensive insight to emerging horizons

The lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery is a promising high-energy-density storage system The strong anchoring of intermediates is widely accepted to retard the shuttle of polysulfides in a working battery However, the understanding of the intrinsic chemistry is still deficient Inspired by the concept of hydrogen bond, herein we focus on the Li bond chemistry in Li-S batteries through sophisticated quantum chemical calculations, in combination with 7 Li nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy Identified as Li bond, the strong dipole-dipole interaction between Li polysulfides and Li-S cathode materials originates from the electron-rich donors (eg, pyridinic nitrogen (pN)), and is enhanced by the inductive and conjugative effect of scaffold materials with π-electrons (eg, graphene) The chemical shift of Li polysulfides in 7 Li NMR spectroscopy, being both theoretically predicted and experimentally verified, is suggested to serve as a quantitative descriptor of Li bond strength These theoretical insights were further proved by actual electrochemical tests This work highlights the importance of Li bond chemistry in Li-S cell and provides a deep comprehension, which is helpful to the cathode materials rational design and practical applications of Li-S batteries

Lithium Bond Chemistry in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

We explore the use of continuous scanning during data acquisition for Bragg coherent diffraction imaging, i.e., where the sample is in continuous motion. The fidelity of continuous scanning Bragg coherent diffraction imaging is demonstrated on a single Pt nanoparticle in a flow reactor at $$400\,^\circ \hbox {C}$$
 in an Ar-based gas flowed at 50 ml/min. We show a reduction of 30% in total scan time compared to conventional step-by-step scanning. The reconstructed Bragg electron density, phase, displacement and strain fields are in excellent agreement with the results obtained from conventional step-by-step scanning. Continuous scanning will allow to minimise sample instability under the beam and will become increasingly important at diffraction-limited storage ring light sources.

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Continuous scanning for Bragg coherent X-ray imaging.

Stabilized Li3N for efficient battery cathode prelithiation

The chemistry of ternary nitrides is reviewed with special focus on developments of the last two years (1996 and 1997). In particular, structures and properties of ternary and higher transition metal nitrides, main group nitrides, subnitrides, and nitride halides are compared, and a section on thermodynamics of ternary nitrides is included. Finally, methods for the preparation of gallium nitride single crystals are summarized.

Recent developments in nitride chemistry

Phase Transformations of Lithium Nitride under Pressure

On the crystal structure of BaNiN, a low valency nitridoniccolate(I)

Ba8Ni6N7 was prepared from mixtures (pressed pellets) of BaNiN and Ba3N2 (molar ratio 1:1) at 800 °C under nitrogen. The crystal structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction ( C2 c ; a = 948.7(4) pm, b = 1657.8(6) pm, c = 1213.7(7) pm; β = 107.05(5)°; Z = 4). The rather complex new structure type is generated by distorted nitrogen coordination octahedra (NBa6, NBa4Ni2(cis) and NBa4Ni2(trans)) which share common edges as well as common corners. Barium is in a threefold (trig, planar) and a fourfold (distorted tetrahedral) nitrogen environment. Nickel (nearly linear coordination, N-Ni-N angle: 162.4(5)°–176.4(4)dg) and nitrogen (distance Ni[2]-N[6]: 175.6(10)–181.0(14) pm) are arranged to form infinite helical [Ni-N] zigzag chains which run parallel to the c ∗ direction.

On the crystal structure of Ba8Ni6N7, a low valency nitridon1ccolate with infinite helical [Ni-N] zigzag chains

Ternäre Nitride des Lithiums mit den Elementen Cr, Mo und W / Ternary Lithium Nitrides with Elements Cr, Mo and W

One-dimensional structures are starting to have impact in modern technological device design. A brief history of the fabrication of metal structures in such geometries is presented. At the dawn of modern science, in 1574, a recipe was published for the formation of “metallic grass”. This ancient recipe is reintroduced into modern technology using physical vapor deposition techniques to grow nanowhiskers. Defects in dewetting layers on various substrates are proven to act as nucleation sites for the whisker growth. This general approach is shown for Cu, Ag and Co nanostructures. The whiskers are of perfect crystal structure, devoid of defects and flaws and freestanding on the substrates. A phenomenological but energetically justified growth model is presented. The unique mechanical stability of these structures is shown by bending experiments. The theoretical limit of the mechanical strength is reached reproducibly.

S. Haag

Papers

Phase Transformations of Lithium Nitride under Pressure

On the crystal structure of BaNiN, a low valency nitridoniccolate(I)

On the crystal structure of Ba8Ni6N7, a low valency nitridon1ccolate with infinite helical [Ni-N] zigzag chains

Ternäre Nitride des Lithiums mit den Elementen Cr, Mo und W / Ternary Lithium Nitrides with Elements Cr, Mo and W

The filamentary growth of metals