Lithium phosphorus oxynitride solid electrolyte: Applications beyond thin film batteries

The thin-film glassy electrolyte Lipon (lithium phosphorus oxynitride) has been used for fabrication of solid thin-film batteries and also as a means to stabilize electrodes in batteries with liquid electrolytes. Its success stems from the electrochemical stability and high electronic resistivity. The lithium ion transport as it relates to the structure and composition has been investigated experimentally and theoretically at ORNL and other laboratories. Recent experimental efforts are investigating the film's mechanical properties, as well as deposition of Lipon on 3D structures, as very thin protective coatings for electrode particles, and as a co-electrolyte in polymer composites. Highlights of these investigations will be reviewed. Research sponsored by: the Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Basic Energy Sciences, DOE; DARPA; and the Laboratory Directed Research and Development program of ORNL.