Effect of Preparation Methods on the Interface of LiBH4/SiO2 Nanocomposite Solid Electrolytes

Sander F.H. Lambregts, Laura M. de Kort, Frederik Winkelmann, Michael Felderhoff, Peter Ngene, Ernst R.H. van Eck, Arno P.M. Kentgens*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Nanocomposites of complex metal hydrides and oxides are promising solid state electrolytes. The interaction of the metal hydride with the oxide results in a highly conducting interface layer. Up until now it has been assumed that the interface chemistry is independent of the nanoconfinement method. Using 29Si solid state NMR and LiBH4/SiO2 as a model system, we show that the silica surface chemistry differs for nanocomposites prepared via melt infiltration or ball milling. After melt infiltration, a Si···H···BH3 complex is present on the interface, together with silanol and siloxane groups. However, after ball milling, the silica surface consists of Si- H sites, and silanol and siloxane groups. We propose that this change is related to a redistribution of silanol groups on the silica surface during ball milling, where free silanol groups are converted to mutually hydrogen-bonded silanol groups. The results presented here help to explain the difference in ionic conductivity between nanocomposites prepared via ball milling and melt infiltration.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)12186−12193
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Physical Chemistry C
Volume128
Issue number29
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Jul 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.

Funding

The authors thank Hans Janssen, Gerrit Janssen, and Ruud Aspers for their technical support and discussions. Jennifer S. Goomez and Angel Wong are thanked for their help with the NMR measurements at 22.3 T. The Dutch Research Council (NWO) is acknowledged for their support of the solid-state NMR facility for advanced materials science, which is part of the uNMR-NL grid (NWO Grant 184.035.002).

FundersFunder number
Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek184.035.002

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Effect of Preparation Methods on the Interface of LiBH4/SiO2 Nanocomposite Solid Electrolytes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this