The relationship of structural and electrochemical properties of NASICON structure Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7 (PO4)(3) electrolytes by a sol-gel method

Abstract

Lithium ion conducting NASICON-type electrolytes of general formula Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)(3) (LATP) are fabricated by a citric acid-supported sol-gel process and analyzed for thermal stability, microstructure, crystalline phases. From these structural analyses, the relationship of microstructural changes and electrochemical properties is investigated. It is demonstrated that the sol-gel method enable to obtain pure LATP crystals at a lower temperature in a shorter synthesis time compared to conventional solid state reaction or glass-ceramics processes. The dense electrolyte pellets are prepared from the LATP nano-powders by sintering at 900 degrees C for 3 hours, and a room temperature conductivity of 7.8 x 10(-5) S/cm and activation energy of 38.2 KJ/mol was obtained.