Lithium argyrodite superionic conductors, of the form Li6PS5X (X = Cl, Br, and I), have shown great promise as electrolytes for all‐solid‐state batteries because of their high ionic conductivity and processability. The ionic conductivity of these materials is highly influenced by the structural disorder of S2−/X− anions; however, it is unclear if and how this affects the Li distribution and how it relates to transport, which is critical for improving conductivities. Here it is shown that the site‐disorder once thought to be inherent to given compositions can be carefully controlled in Li6PS5Br by tuning synthesis conditions. The site‐disorder increases with temperature and can be “frozen” in. Neutron diffraction shows this phenomenon to affect the Li+ substructure by decreasing the jump distance between so‐called “cages” of clustered Li+ ions; expansion of these cages makes a more interconnected pathway for Li+ diffusion, thereby increasing ionic conductivity. Additionally, ab initio molecular dynamics simulations provide Li+ diffusion coefficients and time‐averaged radial distribution functions as a function of the site‐disorder, corroborating the experimental results on Li+ distribution and transport. These approaches of modulating the Li+ substructure can be considered essential for the design and optimization of argyrodites and may be extended to other lithium superionic conductors.

Glassy, glass–ceramic, and crystalline lithium thiophosphates have attracted interest in their use as solid electrolytes in all-solid-state batteries. Despite similar structural motifs, including PS4 3–, P2S6 4–, and P2S7 4– polyhedra, these materials exhibit a wide range of possible compositions, crystal structures, and ionic conductivities. Here, we present a combined approach of Bragg diffraction, pair distribution function analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and 31P magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to study the underlying crystal structure of Li4P2S6. In this work, we show that the material crystallizes in a planar structural arrangement as a glass ceramic composite, explaining the observed relatively low ionic conductivity, depending on the fraction of glass content. Calculations based on density functional theory provide an understanding of occurring diffusion pathways and ionic conductivity of this Li+ ionic conductor.

Lithium argyrodite superionic conductors are currently being investigated as solid electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries. Recently, in the lithium argyrodite Li6PS5X (X = Cl, Br, and I), a site-disorder between the anions S2– and X– has been observed, which strongly affects the ionic transport and appears to be a function of the halide present. In this work, we show how such a disorder in Li6PS5Br can be engineered via the synthesis method. By comparing fast cooling (i.e., quenching) to more slowly cooled samples, we find that the anion site-disorder is higher at elevated temperatures, and that fast cooling can be used to kinetically trap the desired disorder, leading to higher ionic conductivities as shown by impedance spectroscopy in combination with ab initio molecular dynamics. Furthermore, we observe that after milling, a crystalline lithium argyrodite can be obtained within 1 min of heat treatment. This rapid crystallization highlights the reactive nature of mechanical milling and shows that long reaction times with high energy consumption are not needed in this class of materials. The fact that site-disorder induced via quenching is beneficial for ionic transport provides an additional approach for the optimization and design of lithium superionic conductors.

<p>Lithium argyrodite superionic conductors are currently being investigated as solid electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries. Recently, in the lithium argyrodite Li₆PS₅X (X = Cl, Br, I), a site-disorder between the anionsS^2–and X^–has been observed, which strongly affects the ionic transport and appears to be a function of the halide present. In this work, we show how such disorder in Li₆PS₅Br can be engineered <i>via</i>the synthesis method. By comparing fast cooling (<i>i.e. </i>quenching) to more slowly cooled samples, we find that anion site-disorder is higher at elevated temperatures, and that fast cooling can be used to kinetically trap the desired disorder, leading to higher ionic conductivities as shown by impedance spectroscopy in combination with <i>ab-initio</i>molecular dynamics. Furthermore, we observe that after milling, a crystalline lithium argyrodite can be obtained within one minute of heat treatment. This rapid crystallization highlights the reactive nature of mechanical milling and shows that long reaction times with high energy consumption are not needed in this class of materials. The fact that site-disorder induced <i>via</i>quenching is beneficial for ionic transport provides an additional approach for the optimization and design of lithium superionic conductors.</p>

<p>Lithium argyrodite superionic conductors are currently being investigated as solid electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries. Recently, in the lithium argyrodite Li₆PS₅X (X = Cl, Br, I), a site-disorder between the anionsS^2–and X^–has been observed, which strongly affects the ionic transport and appears to be a function of the halide present. In this work, we show how such disorder in Li₆PS₅Br can be engineered <i>via</i>the synthesis method. By comparing fast cooling (<i>i.e. </i>quenching) to more slowly cooled samples, we find that anion site-disorder is higher at elevated temperatures, and that fast cooling can be used to kinetically trap the desired disorder, leading to higher ionic conductivities as shown by impedance spectroscopy in combination with <i>ab-initio</i>molecular dynamics. Furthermore, we observe that after milling, a crystalline lithium argyrodite can be obtained within one minute of heat treatment. This rapid crystallization highlights the reactive nature of mechanical milling and shows that long reaction times with high energy consumption are not needed in this class of materials. The fact that site-disorder induced <i>via</i>quenching is beneficial for ionic transport provides an additional approach for the optimization and design of lithium superionic conductors.</p>