Date of Graduation

Fall 2017

Degree

Master of Science in Materials Science

Department

Physics, Astronomy, and Materials Science

Committee Chair

Ridwan Sakidja

Abstract

I have investigated the diffusion mechanisms of Li-ion in amorphous lithium phosphite (LiPO3) with addition of sulphur. By applying the nudge elastic band (NEB) method in crystal LiPO3 and Li3PO4, I confirmed the easing of diffusion pathways for Li ion in LiPO3 which is consistent with the previous theoretical finding[1]. From the diffusion study in 0.5 Li2O- 0.5 P2O5 and 0.4 Li2SO4 – 0.6 (Li2O-P2O5) melts above 3000K performed with ab-initio molecular dynamics (AIMD), produces identical outcome as experimental at lower temperatures. I demonstrated the benefit of addition of S in increasing Li+ mobility. I also found that the Li2SO4 addition into the glass results in a characteristic shift in Li-ion vibration to a lower vibrational frequency. In addition, the presence of oxygen surrounding the diffusion pathways appears to be essential in assisting the Li+ mobility in both crystalline and amorphous structures. The activation energy barrier shows similar pattern as reported in experimental analysis with LiPO3[2].

Keywords

diffusion, density functional theory, nudge elastic band, ab-initio molecular dynamics, Li-ion battery, solid state electrolyte

Subject Categories

Materials Science and Engineering

Copyright

© Md Shafiqul Islam

Open Access

Share

COinS