11 February 2019

Theoretical physicists at Linköping University have developed a computational method to calculate the transition from one phase to another in dynamically disordered solid materials. This is a class of materials that can be used in many eco-friendly applications.

Johan Klarbring,  Photographer: THOR BALKHED
Solid materials are in reality not quite as solid as they appear. Normally, each atom actually vibrates around a certain position in the material. Most theoretical models that aim to describe solid materials are based on the assumption that the atoms retain their positions and do not move very far from them.

“This is not the case for some materials, such as materials with very high ionic conductivity and those where the building blocks are not only atoms but also molecules. Several of the perovskites that are promising materials for solar cells are of this kind”, Johan Klarbring, doctoral student in theoretical physics at Linköping University, tells us.

Perovskites are defined by their crystal structures and come in different forms. Their constituents can be both atoms and molecules. The atoms in the molecules vibrate, but the complete molecule can also rotate, which means that the atoms move significantly more than is often assumed in the calculations.

Dynamically disordered solid materials

Materials that show this atypical behaviour are known as “dynamically disordered solid materials”. Dynamically disordered solid materials show immense potential in environmentally sensitive applications. Materials that are good ionic conductors are, for example, promising in the development of solid electrolytes for batteries and fuel cells, and for thermoelectric applications.

However, the properties of materials have been tricky to calculate theoretically and researchers have often been forced to use time-consuming experiments.

Jonas Klarbring has developed a computational method that describes accurately what happens when these types of material are heated and undergo phase transitions. Johan Klarbring and his supervisor, Professor Sergei Simak, have published the results in the scientific journal Physical Review Letters.

Bismuth oxide

They have studied bismuth oxide, Bi2O3, a material known to be a very good ionic conductor. This oxide, where current is conducted by oxide ions, is the best oxide ion conductor of all known solid materials. Experiments have shown that it has a low conductivity at low temperatures, but when heated it undergoes a phase transition into a dynamically disordered phase with high ionic conductivity.

“The article in Physical Review Letters describes how we have been able for the first time to theoretically describe the phase transition in bismuth oxide, and calculate the temperature at which it occurs. This provides an important theoretical basis for the development of, for example, electrolytes in fuel cells, where it is important to know exactly when the phase transition takes place”, says Johan Klarbring.

“I start from an ordered phase, which is well-described by conventional methods. I then use a technique known as ‘thermodynamic integration’, which I have adapted to deal with the disordered motion. The ordered phase is coupled to the disordered one, with the aid of a series of quantum mechanical calculations, carried out at the National Supercomputer Centre at LiU.”

Perovskites next

The theoretical calculations are in full agreement with how the material behaves in laboratory experiments.

The researchers now plan to test the method on other interesting materials, such as perovskites, and on materials with high lithium ionic conductivity. The latter are of interest for the development of high-performance batteries.

“Once we have a deep theoretical understanding of the materials, it improves the possibilities to optimise them for specific applications”, concludes Johan Klarbring.

The research is financed by the Swedish Research Council and the Swedish Government Strategic Research Area initiative in Material Science on Functional Materials at Linköping University.

The article: Phase Stability of Dynamically Disordered Solids from First Principles, Johan Klarbring, Sergei I. Simak, Linköping University, Physical Review Letters 121, 2018. DOI 10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.225702

Translated by George Farrants

Contact

AFM news 

A flexible battery pulled in different directions.

A fluid battery that can take any shape

Using electrodes in a fluid form, researchers at LiU have developed a battery that can take any shape. This soft and conformable battery can be integrated into future technology in a completely new way.

Researcher hold a glowing sheet of glass with tweezers.

Next generation LEDs are cheap and sustainable

Cost, technical performance and environmental impact – these are the three most important aspects for a new type of LED technology to have a broad commercial impact on society. This has been demonstrated by LiU-researchers in a new study.

A beaker filled with water where a small solar cell is dissolved.

The next-generation solar cell is fully recyclable

In a study published in Nature, researchers at LiU have developed a method to recycle all parts of a perovskite solar cell repeatedly without environmentally hazardous solvents. The recycled solar cell has the same efficiency as the original one.

Latest news from LiU

A woman standing by a tree.

SEK 26 million for research on the environment and sustainability

Five projects at LiU receive funding when the Kamprad Family Foundation rewards research that can contribute to a better environment and better quality of life for the elderly. The projects at Linköping University are very much about sustainability.

Patrik Thollander, professor in energy systems at Linköping University.

How to reduce global CO2 emissions from industry

Global emissions of carbon dioxide from industry can be reduced by five per cent. But that requires companies and policy makers to take a holistic approach to energy efficiency. This is the conclusion of researchers, including from LiU.

Pipette against black background..

A pipette that can activate individual neurons

Researchers at LiU have developed a type of pipette that can deliver ions to individual neurons without affecting the sensitive extracellular milieu. The technique can provide important insights into how individual braincells are affected.