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The plastic-crystalline phase of succinonitrile as a universal matrix for solid-state ionic conductors

Nature Materials volume 3, pages 476–481 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Solid ionic conductors are actively sought for their potential application in electrochemical devices, particularly lithium batteries. We have found high ionic conductivity for a large variety of salts dissolved in the highly polar medium based on the plastic-crystal form of succinonitrile (N≡C–CH2–CH2–C≡N). Its high diffusivity, plasticity and solvating power allowed the preparation of a large number of materials with high ionic conductivity, reaching values of 3 mS cm−1 at 25 °C (two orders of magnitude above polymers). Their ease of preparation and processing allowed us to study the influence of the solute on ionic conduction within this medium. Comparisons revealed a dichotomy between plastic crystals and conventional polymer media. The usefulness of these new, easily processed electrolytes was asserted in electrochemical tests with lithium intercalation electrodes.

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Figure 5: SSCV (50 mV h−1) of solid-state batteries using Li4Ti5O12 as the negative electrode and either LiFePO4 or LiCoO2 as the positive electrode.

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Acknowledgements

CNRS funding covered full (M.A.) and partial (P.J.A., Y.A.-L., A.A.) salaries and research expenditures.

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  1. Michel Armand

    Present address: , 150 les Corjons, 38410, Saint Martin-d'Uriage, France

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, International Laboratory on Electro-Active Materials, University of Montreal, Montreal, H3C 3J7, Canada

    Pierre-Jean Alarco, Yaser Abu-Lebdeh, Ali Abouimrane & Michel Armand

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  1. Pierre-Jean Alarco
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Correspondence to Michel Armand.

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Alarco, PJ., Abu-Lebdeh, Y., Abouimrane, A. et al. The plastic-crystalline phase of succinonitrile as a universal matrix for solid-state ionic conductors. Nature Mater 3, 476–481 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat1158

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