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Article
A New Class of Lithium Ion Conductors with Tunable Structures and Compositions: Quaternary Diamond-like Thiogermanates
Solid State Ionics
  • Jacilynn A. Brant, Duquesne University
  • Kasey P. Devlin, Duquesne University
  • Christian Bischoff, Iowa State University
  • Deborah Watson, Iowa State University
  • Steve W. Martin, Iowa State University
  • Michael D. Gross, Wake Forest University
  • Jennifer A. Aitken, Duquesne University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2015
Keywords
  • LISICON,
  • Ion conductivity,
  • Thiogermanate,
  • Solid-state electrolyte,
  • Kesterite,
  • Stannite
Abstract

The new Li2CoGeS4 compound crystallizes in the Pn space group with the wurtz-kesterite structure, according to single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure of Li2CoGeS4 and the high degree of phase-purity in which it is prepared are supported by high-resolution synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction. Varying the divalent ion in Li2-II-GeS4 materials yields three different structure types, all of which are derived from hexagonal diamond. These structural variations give rise to Li+-encompassing [II–GeS4]2 − nets with different topologies that offer diversity in lithium ion diffusion pathways. In the first systematic study of the lithium ion conductivity in quaternary diamond-like materials, wurtz-kesterite-type Li2CoGeS4 and Li2FeGeS4 (Pn), lithium cobalt(II) silicate-type Li2MnGeS4 (Pna21), and wurtz-stannite-type Li2CdGeS4(Pmn21) are presented as environmentally stable lithium ion conductors. These materials are comprised of cubic diamond-like [CoGeS4]2 − and [FeGeS4]2 −anionic frameworks, ABW-like [MnGeS4]2 −, and square lattice-like [CdGeS4]2 −. As assessed using impedance spectroscopy, Li2FeGeS4 exhibits the most promising Li+ ion conductivity of 1.8(3) × 10− 4 S/cm at 100 °C, while Li2CdGeS4 shows the lowest activation energy for lithium ion conduction, EA = 0.74(2) eV.

Comments
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
ORCID ID
0000-0001-7825-8667
DOI
10.1016/j.ssi.2015.05.019
Citation Information
Jacilynn A. Brant, Kasey P. Devlin, Christian Bischoff, Deborah Watson, et al.. "A New Class of Lithium Ion Conductors with Tunable Structures and Compositions: Quaternary Diamond-like Thiogermanates" Solid State Ionics Vol. 278 (2015) p. 268 - 274 ISSN: 0167-2738
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/steve_martin/65/