Enhanced Ionic Conductivity of Microwave Processed LiO2-Al2O3-TiO2-P2O5 Glass Ceramics

Glass-ceramics with a NASICON crystal structure are of great interest as solid state electrolytes because of their thermal stability and high room temperature ionic conductivities.  It has been shown that the crystallization kinetics can greatly affect the activation energy and ionic conductivity of glass ceramic electrolytes.  In this work, the effect of annealing conditions on the crystallization and ionic conductivity of glass ceramics will be presented.  LiO₂-Al₂O₃-TiO₂-P₂O₅ (LATP) was prepared by melt quenching methods, and crystallization was induced by both microwave and conventional heating for comparison.  Results from broadband impedance spectroscopy analysis combined with microstructural characterization will be discussed and processing avenues for enhanced conductivity via microwave heating will be demonstrated.