LaF₃-BaF₂-KF derived electrolyte in solid state fluoride-ion battery

Solid-state based battery technology offers, in principle, the largest temperature range (from room temperature to 500°C) of any battery technology. In fluoride based batteries, the chemical reaction used to create electrical energy is a solid-state reaction of a metal with fluoride anion [1]. Among the various types of solid preparation techniques, the mechanochemical synthesis has been recognized as a powerful route to novel, high-performance, and low-cost materials [2]. Thus, a mixed and highly disordered fluoride phase with retained cubic symmetry can be obtained with a very high F^- diffusivity [3]. In our group, a series of new electrolytes was developed, namely LaF₃-BaF₂-KF solid solutions, using mechanosynthesis method. The cubic structure of the product was confirmed by XRD. The nanoscale nature and morphology of the samples were characterized by SEM and TEM. First Solid-state electrochemical cells were built with LiF based composite cathode, LaF₃-BaF₂-KF derived electrolyte and Fe based composite anode.