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.