The transcendental role of lithium zirconates in the development of modern energy technologies

Abstract

In the context of the current global environmental paradigm, lithium zirconate-based materials (LZOs) are of great technological interest in the reduction of the carbon footprint. Due to their exceptional mechanical, thermal and chemical stability, high lithium atom density and outstanding tritium release behavior, LZOs have been studied as tritium breeding ceramics for fusion technology. Besides, given that they can selectively and reversibly absorb CO2 at high temperatures, LZOs could be used in the capture and industrial reuse of this gas. Moreover, in their most widespread use today, LZOs could be applied as nanocoatings on solid-state electrolytes and electrodes, constraining the formation of high resistive interfaces and slowing the evolution of dendrites, both in lithium-ion and solid-state batteries. Finally, there are some small contributions in the development of catalytic materials to produce biodiesel and air-hydrogen fuel cells based on LZOs, and also in the development of luminescent materials with photovoltaic applications. This article is the first review of the LZO system. It summarizes LZOs main applications and describes the latest advances in the technologies described above.