Deforming Lanthanum Trihydride Enables Ambient Temperature Superionic Conduction

Researchers have deformed lanthanum trihydride to create a superionic conductor, which could be used in solid-state batteries and hydrogen fuel cells. The deformed material showed high hydrogen ion conductivity, and the researchers found that the deformation created grain boundaries that acted as barriers to electron transport, leading to high electrical conductivity. The findings could pave the way for the development of new materials for energy storage and conversion.