Fast synthesis and sintering of Li5La3Nb2O12 garnet ceramic

In this research, we present a novel synthesis route to obtain a Li5La3Nb2O12 Garnet structure to be used as solid state electrolyte for Next Generation Li-Battery. The Lithium-based ceramic powder was synthesized by Spray Pyrolysis at 800 °C and it was identified the perovskite structure of LiLa2NbO6 by X-Ray Diffraction characterization. The Scanning Electronic Microscopy showed spherical nanostructured particles with average diameter under 600 nm. After Spark Plasma Sintering the obtained pellets had ~89% of density and XRD analysis indicate its Li5La3Nb2O12 Garnet structure after sintering temperatures higher than 900 °C/30 min with a heating rate of 50 °C/min, without any pre or post heat treatment. The Li-conductivity measured by impedance analysis for this pellet was 10−6 S/cm. This new kind of Field Assisted Fast Sintering avoids grain growth, which favors the lithionic conduction and potentiates the use of this material as ceramic electrolytes.