Ammonia-assisted fast Li-ion conductivity in a new hemiammine lithium borohydride, LiBH4•1/2NH3

Hemiammine lithium borohydride, LiBH4 center dot 1/2NH(3), is characterized and a new Li+ conductivity mechanism is identified. It exhibits a Li+ conductivity of 7 x 10(-4) S cm(-1) at 40 degrees C in the solid state and 3.0 x 10(-2) S cm(-1) at 55 degrees C after melting. The molten state of LiBH4 center dot 1/2NH(3) has a high viscosity and can be mechanically stabilized in nano-composites with inert metal oxides and other hydrides making it a promising battery electrolyte.