Possible three-dimensional diffusion pathways of lithium ions in crystalline lithium argyrodites are discussed based on earlier studies of local dynamics and site preferences. The specific Li-ionic conductivities of the lithium argyrodites Li 7 PS 6 and Li 6 PS 5 X (X: Cl, Br, I) and their temperature dependences are measured by impedance spectroscopy using different electron-blocking and ion-blocking electrode systems. Measurements were carried out between 160 K and 550 K depending on the respective sample. Bulk and grain boundary contributions and the influence of sample preparation are discussed.

From the spinning room: LiFePO4 is a promising cathode material for lithium batteries, but it suffers from slow mass and charge transport. Electrospinning is able to produce single‐crystalline LiFePO4 nanowires coated with amorphous carbon (see TEM images and small‐angle electron diffraction pattern). Networks of these wires show very short diffusion lengths, thus leading to high rate performance and cycling capability.

Large single crystals of LiFePO(4) have been chemically delithiated. The relevance of chemical oxidation in comparison with electrochemical delithiation is discussed. Analyses of the Li content and profiles were done by electron energy loss spectroscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry. The propagation of the FePO(4) phase growing on the surface of the large single crystal was followed by in situ optical microscopy as a function of time. The kinetics were evaluated in terms of linear irreversible thermodynamics and found to be characterized by an induction period followed by parabolic growth behavior of the FePO(4) phase indicating transport control. The growth rate was shown to depend on the crystallographic orientation. Scanning electron microscopy images showed cracks and a high porosity of the FePO(4) layer due to the significant changes in the molar volumes. The transport was found to be greatly enhanced by the porosity and crack formation and hence greatly enhanced over pure bulk transport, a result which is supposed to be very relevant for battery research if coarse-grained powder is used.

The atomistic mechanisms of Li(+) ion mobility/conductivity in Li(7-x)PS(6-x)I(x) argyrodites are explored from both experimental and theoretical viewpoints. Ionic conductivity in the title compound is associated with a solid-solid phase transition, which was characterised by low-temperature differential scanning calorimetry, (7)Li and (127)I NMR investigations, impedance measurements and molecular dynamics simulations. The NMR signals of both isotopes are dominated by anisotropic interactions at low temperatures. A significant narrowing of the NMR signal indicates a motional averaging of the anisotropic interactions above 177+/-2 K. The activation energy to ionic conductivity was assessed from both impedance spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. The latter revealed that a series of interstitial sites become accessible to the Li(+) ions, whilst the remaining ions stay at their respective sites in the argyrodite lattice. The interstitial positions each correspond to the centres of tetrahedra of S/I atoms, and differ only in terms of their common corners, edges, or faces with adjacent PS(4) tetrahedra. From connectivity analyses and free-energy rankings, a specific tetrahedron is identified as the key restriction to ionic conductivity, and is clearly differentiated from local mobility, which follows a different mechanism with much lower activation energy. Interpolation of the lattice parameters as derived from X-ray diffraction experiments indicates a homogeneity range for Li(7-x)PS(6-x)I(x) with 0.97 < or = x < or = 1.00. Within this range, molecular dynamics simulations predict Li(+) conductivity at ambient conditions to vary considerably.

The title compounds Li6PO5Br (F$\rm Li_6PO_5Br(F\overline43m,a=8.297(1)A,Z=4)]$and Li6PO5Cl (F$\rm Li_6PO_5Cl(F\overline43m,a=8.297(1)A,Z=4)]$ represent the first oxidic argyrodites in general and the first lithiumoxoargyrodites in particular. The overall crystal structure corresponds to the cubic high temperature (HT) modification of all known cubic argyrodites, however, with a seemingly small but important difference concerning the lithium positions. In all other HT argyrodites with similar lithium content the 24 lithium atoms per unit cell are disordered over a 48 fold position in close vicinity to a 24 fold one causing a high mobility of the Li+. In the title compounds, however, they occupy the 24 fold one in a strictly ordered manner thus establishing a planar triangular first sphere coordination environment. This detail is of great importance for the amount of the specific lithium ionic conductivity and for the possible phase transition to an LT (low temperature) modification accompanied by an ordering of the disordered lithium atoms. Apparently the latter transition is suppressed in the title compounds because the Li+ are already frozen out in the cubic (HT = LT) form. The initially open question how this structural peculiarity influences the ionic conductivity (strengthening or weakening in comparison to oxygen free argyrodites?) is answered by a series of impedance measurements. The specific lithium ionic conductivity of the title compounds in the range 313 K < T < 518 K is significantly lower than in oxygen free argyrodites.