Presentation Title: Design of Niobium‑Based Active Cathode Electrolyte for High‑Energy‑Density All‑Solid‑State Lithium Batteries

Abstract: 

     The incorporation of inactive solid-state electrolyte components into composite cathodes for high-energy-density all-solid-state lithium batteries, though beneficial for ion transport, inevitably compromises the overall energy density, posing a critical barrier to achieving higher specific energy. Redox-active cathode electrolytes offer a promising solution to this challenge. Herein, we develop a series of novel niobium‑based halide active catholytes (NBHACs) that exhibit room‑temperature ionic conductivities markedly higher than those of most previously reported solid electrolytes, while also delivering substantial reversible capacities via the multi‑electron redox chemistry of niobium. Owing to their superior ionic conduction, NBHACs sustain fast redox kinetics even under high active‑mass loadings and show excellent long‑term cycling stability. When employed as active constituents in composite cathodes, NBHACs markedly improve both discharge capacity and cycle life. This study provides a viable niobium‑based material platform for designing high‑energy all‑solid‑state lithium batteries.

Biography: 

      Dr. Qinghua Liang is now a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the Ganjiang Innovation Academy, Chinese Academy of Sciences. His research primarily focuses on applied fundamental research of novel electrochemical energy materials and devices. To date, he has published over 50 papers in internationally renowned journals such as Advanced Materials as corresponding or first author, with total citations exceeding 12,000 and an H‑index of 55. He has been honored with the ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) from Australia and the Jiangxi Provincial Natural Science Foundation (Youth Fund, Category A). He has also been recognized as a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher, an RSC Journal of Materials Chemistry A Emerging Investigator, and a Jiangxi Provincial High‑level High‑skill Leading Talent. He serves as a youth editorial board member for eScience, SusMat, and Energy Materials and Devices.