Lithium ion conductive glass–ceramics with Li3Fe2(PO4)3 and YAG laser-induced local crystallization in lithium iron phosphate glasses

The glasses with the composition of 37.5Li2O–(25 − x)Fe2O3–xNb2O5–37.5P2O5 (mol%) (x = 5,10,15) are prepared, and it is found that the addition of Nb2O5 is effective for the glass formation in the lithium iron phosphate system. The glass–ceramics consisting of Nasicon-type Li3Fe2(PO4)3 crystals with an orthorhombic structure are developed through conventional crystallization in an electric furnace, showing electrical conductivities of 3 × 10− 6 Scm− 1 at room temperature and the activation energies of 0.48 eV (x = 5) and 0.51 eV (x = 10) for Li+ ion conduction in the temperature range of 30–200 °C. A continuous wave Nd:YAG laser (wavelength: 1064 nm) with powers of 0.14–0.30 W and a scanning speed of 10 μm/s is irradiated onto the surface of the glasses, and the formation of Li3Fe2(PO4)3 crystals is confirmed from XRD analyses and micro-Raman scattering spectra. The crystallization of the precursor glasses is considered as new route for the fabrication of Li3Fe2(PO4)3 crystals being candidates for use as electrolyte materials in lithium ion secondary batteries.