Synthesis of amorphous Li3BO3 nanoparticles as solid electrolyte for all-solid-state battery by induction thermal plasma

Synthesis of amorphous Li3BO3 by induction thermal plasma was conducted systematically with the investigation of formation mechanism. The TEM, XRD, Raman and XPS were conducted to understand the morphology and chemical composition of products. The formation mechanism was investigated based on experiment results and thermodynamic analysis. Crystalline Li3BO3 was injected into plasma as raw material. Different mole ratios of Ar and O2 were selected as plasma sheath gas to understand O2 effect on the composition and amorphous degree of products. Ar was selected as quenching gas injected into the plasma to understand quenching rate effect on amorphous Li3BO3 generation. Amorphous Li3BO3 was synthesized successfully with agglomerated state. The products contained Li6B4O9 and Li4B2O5 besides Li3BO3. Higher amorphous Li3BO3 degree was obtained at higher O2 and quenching gas flow rates. The experiment results indicate that the high quenching rate promotes amorphous Li3BO3 generation but increases the possibility of by-product generation.