Potentiometric carbon dioxide sensor based on thin Li3PO4 electrolyte and Li2CO3 sensing electrode

Potentiometric CO₂ gas sensors with thin-film lithium phosphate (Li₃PO₄) electrolytes were developed by using radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. Li₂CO₃ and a mixture of Li₂TiO₃ and TiO₂ were used as sensing and reference electrodes, respectively. By using the RF sputtering deposition process, we obtained a dense, crystalline, thin-film Li₃PO₄ electrolyte with good adhesion on the Al₂O₃ substrate. The thin-film Li₃PO₄ electrolyte had good ionic conductivity, i.e., 2.15?×?10^?6 S cm^?1 at 500 °C, and its activation energy was 0.97 eV. The thin-film Li₃PO₄ electrolyte was suitable for the miniaturization of potentiometric CO₂ sensors. The thin-film potentiometric CO₂ sensor provided relatively good sensing response for overall CO₂ concentrations (500 to 3,000 ppm and 5 to 20 %) at 500 °C. The Nernstian slope of 78.2 mV/decade obtained for CO₂ concentrations from 5 to 20 % at 500 °C was close to the theoretical value (76.6 mV/decade). Although the sensor’s reading deviated from the theoretical value at low CO₂ concentrations (500 to 3,000 ppm), the sensor provided better sensing performance than a potentiometric CO₂ sensor with a thick electrolyte. As a result, it was assumed that the thin-film sensor could be used to monitor the overall concentration of CO₂ in the environment.     

Ionic conductivity of isostructural crystals of the superionic conductors Li3Fe2(PO4)4 and Li3Sc2(PO4)3

The results of measurements of the ionic conductivity σ in Li₃M₂(PO₄)₃ (M=Fe, Sc) single crystals along various crystallographic directions are analyzed. Possible causes of the different behavior of σ in the isostructural crystals are discussed: a jump of the conductivity in the transition to the superionic phase in Li₃Sc₂(PO₄)₃ and its absence in Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)₃; the existence of a conductivity maximum in different crystallographic directions (along the c axis in Li₃Sc₂(PO₄)₃ and along the a axis in Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)₃). Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 83–86 (January 1997)     

Li3V2(PO4)3 modified LiFePO4/C cathode materials with improved high-rate and low-temperature properties

LiFePO₄/C surface modified with Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ is prepared with a sol–gel combustion method. The structure and electrochemical behavior of the material are studied using a wide range of techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope, galvanostatic charge–discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It is found that LiFePO₄/C surface modified with Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ has the better electrochemical performance. The discharge capacity of the as-prepared material can reach up to 153.1, 137.7, 113.6, and 93.3 mAh g^?1 at 1, 2, 5, and 10 C, respectively. The capacitance of the LiFePO₄/C modified by Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ is higher under lower discharging rate at ?20 °C, and the initial discharge capacity of 0.2 C is 131.4 mAh g^?1. It is also demonstrated that the presence of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ in the sample can reduce the charge transfer resistance in the range of ?20 to 25 °C, resulting in the enhanced electrochemical catalytic activity.     

Glass Transition (T g ) and Dielectric Constant (e'r) of Li3PO4-Pb3(PO4)2-BiPO4 (Li2O-PbO-Bi2O3-P2O5) Glasses

Thermal and dielectric properties of heavy metal oxide glasses, Li₃PO₄-Pb₃(PO₄)₂-BiPO₄ (Li₂O-PbO-Bi₂O₃-P₂O₅), were studied from ambient temperature to 500°C by differential thermal analysis (DTA) and dielectric constant (?′_r) measurements. Experiment results show a strong influence of lithium, lead and bismuth ions on T _g and ?′_r.     

C-rate and temperature dependence of electrochemical performance of Li[Co0.1Ni0.15Li0.2Mn0.55]O2 cathode materials before and after Co3(PO4)2 coating

Li[Co_0.1Ni_0.15Li_0.2Mn_0.55]O₂ was synthesized, as a cathode material with high capacity, by a simple combustion method followed by annealing at 800?°C. Li[Co_0.1Ni_0.15Li_0.2Mn_0.55]O₂ cathode materials were coated with lithium-active Co₃(PO₄)₂ to improve the electrochemical performance of rechargeable lithium batteries. Morphologies and physical properties of Li[Co_0.1Ni_0.15Li_0.2Mn_0.55]O₂ before and after the Co₃(PO₄)₂ coating were analyzed with a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope. Transmission electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and Brunauer?CEmmett?CTeller surface area analyses were also carried out. The electrochemical performances of Li[Co_0.1Ni_0.15Li_0.2Mn_0.55]O₂ cathode material before and after Co₃(PO₄)₂ coating were evaluated by galvanostatic charge?Cdischarge testing at different charge and discharge densities. The temperature dependence of the cathode material before and after Co₃(PO₄)₂ coating was investigated at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50?°C at a rate of 0.1?C. Co₃(PO₄)₂-Li[Co_0.1Ni_0.15Li_0.2Mn_0.55]O₂ exhibited good electrochemical performance under high C-rate and experimental temperature conditions. The enhanced electrochemical performances were attributed to the formation of a lithium-active Co₃(PO₄)₂-coating layer on Li[Co_0.1Ni_0.15Li_0.2Mn_0.55]O₂.     

XPS and ionic conductivity studies on Li1.3Al0.15Y0.15Ti1.7(PO4)3 ceramics

Li_1.3Al_0.15Y_0.15Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃ compound was synthesized by solid-state reaction, and ceramics were sintered. The surfaces of the ceramics were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Li_1.3Al_0.15Y_0.15Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃ samples were tested in solid galvanic cells Ag|O₂+CO₂|Li₂CO₃|Li_1.3Al_0.15Y_0.15Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃|LiMnO₂+Mn₂O₃|O₂|Ag. The electromotive force measurements of this cell indicated that investigated samples are practically pure Li-ion conductors. Impedance spectroscopy studies have been performed in the frequency range 10^?2–3·10⁹ Hz and temperatures from ?57 °C to 334 °C. Three dispersion regions related to Li⁺ ionic transport in bulk, grain boundaries of the ceramics and to polarization of electrodes have been found. Total conductivity changes according to Arrhenius law in the studied temperature range, but an anomalous behavior was observed for the bulk conductivity of the ceramics.     

Synthesis of flower-like Li3V2(PO4)3/C cathode with mixed morphology for advanced lithium-ion batteries

A rheological phase-assisted ball milling method was developed to synthesize of flower-like Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C composites consisting of nanofibers and nanoplate porous microstructure. The flower-like Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C composite delivered specific capacities of 120 and 108 mAh g^?1 at 0.5 and 10 C rates, respectively. A capacity retention of 99.5 % was sustained after 100 cycles at a 10-C cycling rate. The remarkable performance was attributed to the porous nanostructures that provide short electron/ion diffusion distance and large electrode/electrolyte contact area.     

Order-disorder transition in Na3Bi(PO4)2

Na₃Bi(PO₄)₂ exhibits several phase transitions at about 575, 820 and 905°C. The structure was determined at ambient temperature (α-form) and above the first transition (β-form). The α-form cell is monoclinic with a = 19.86(1), b = 5.353(6), c = 13.96(3) Å, β = 110.64(7)°, Z = 8, space group P2₁/ _c ; the structure was solved from 3769 independent reflections to an R value, calculated on intensities, of 0.069. The β-form cell is orthorhombic with a = 18.71(3), b = 7.18(2), c = 5.429(7) Å, Z = 4, space group Pnam; the structure was solved to an R value, calculated on structure factors, of 0.055 using intensities of 858 unique reflections measured on a single crystal at 650°C. Both structures are related to that of glaserite. At high temperature, one of the PO₄ tetrahedra is statistically disordered over two positions related by the m-mirror. Below the transition, ordering of this ion leads to a unit cell of lower symmetry. At the transition, two individuals grow on the two sides of the m-mirror which disappears; thus, at ambient temperature, the crystals are systematically twinned. Above the second transition, the unit cell is hexagonal.     

Preparation of Li3V2 (PO4)3/LiFePO4 composite cathode material for lithium ion batteries

A novel process was attempted for synthesis of Li₃V₂ (PO₄)₃/LiFePO₄ composite cathode material via loading nano-LiFePO₄ (LFP) powders onto the outside of micrometer-size spherical Li₃V₂ (PO₄)₃ (LVP). The precursor of nano-LFP and LVP were synthesized via “controlled crystallization” and “spray drying” techniques, respectively. The X-ray diffraction characterization, scanning electron microscopy, and electrochemical performance measurements were studied. The results indicated that the prepared Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/LiFePO₄ (LVP/LFP) composite material exhibited better discharging capacity at high C rate and at low temperature than that of LFP and bulk LVP/LFP. This can pave an effective way to improve the performance of LFP at high C rate and at low temperature.     

Phase transitions in the Na3PO4-BiPO4 system

Abstract

The Na₃PO₄-BiPO₄ system has been investigated by X-ray diffraction and D.T.A. It features two definite compounds: Na₃Bi(PO₄)₂ and Na₃Bi₅(PO₄)₆, the first one being polymorphic. It crystallizes in two orthorhombic and two hexagonal forms below melting at 1025°C. The H.T. phase has the glaserite structure, and the other ones are related. Na₃Bi₅(PO₄)₆ is stable only at 680 ? t ? 820°C, but can easily be quenched. It has a non-centrosymmetric cubic structure (S.H.G.) of the eulytite type, and so potential piezoelectric applications can be expected. Na₃PO₄ and Na₃Bi(PO₄)₂ display two extensive ranges of solid solutions with the replacement mechanism 3Na⁺ → Bi³⁺ in the formula Na_3-3x Bi _x PO₄, respectively with 0 ? x ? 0.29 and 0.5 ? x ? 0.62 over 950°C.     

Vibrational spectroscopic study of lithium intercalation into LiTi2(PO4)3

Ex situ vibrational spectra are recorded during the first discharge of LiTi₂(PO₄)₃. Spectral changes are consistent with a two-phase model for the electrochemical insertion of Li⁺ ions. Differences in the frequencies and relative intensities of the LiTi₂(PO₄)₃ and Li₃Ti₂(PO₄)₃ bands are due to changes in the effective force constants, dipole moment derivatives, and polarizability derivatives as Li⁺ is inserted into LiTi₂(PO₄)₃. The intramolecular PO₄³⁻ bending modes (ν₂ and ν₄) are found to be more sensitive to Li⁺ insertion than the intramolecular PO₄³⁻ stretching modes (ν₁ and ν₃). This is because ν₂ and ν₄ are less localized than ν₁ or ν₃ and are more susceptible to small structural changes in the unit cell. Furthermore, a band at 487 cm^− 1 appears in the infrared spectrum of Li₃Ti₂(PO₄)₃. This band is assigned as a Li⁺ ion cage mode and is due to Li⁺ ions that occupy the M(3) and M′(3) sites in the Li₃Ti₂(PO₄)₃ structure. A small degree of band broadening is also detected in the vibrational spectra when Li⁺ ions are inserted, which might indicate some disordering in the cathode material.     

Change of the oxidation state of phosphorus in sputtered Li3±xPO4±y and Li3±xPO4±yNz films

Thin Li_3±xPO_4±yN_zLi⁺- electrolyte films prepared by reactive rf-magnetron sputtering of Li₃PO₄ incorporate a certain amount of nitrogen which is made responsible for increased Li⁺-conductivity as well as at least kinetic stability with lithium metal. A possible change of the oxidation state +5 of phosphorus as a result of the sputter process has not yet been considered for explanation. We have found out that it cannot be generally assumed that reactive low power rf-magnetron sputtering of Li₃PO₄ results in fully oxidized films, even when pure O₂ is employed as sputtering gas. Our films immediately react with H₂O releasing a garlic smelling gas. The reaction area is surrounded by a white crust afterwards. CuSO₄ and AgNO₃ aqueous solutions become reduced. Impedance measurements yield an ionic conductivity of 2·10⁻⁶ S/cm at 25 °C and an activation energy of 0.62 eV.     

Structure and proton conductivity of mechanochemically treated 50CsHSO4·50CsH2PO4

Mixtures of CsHSO₄ and CsH₂PO₄ were mechanochemically treated using a planetary type of ball mill. The changes in structure and proton conductivity of the solid acid compounds with the treatment have been investigated. Cs₃(HSO₄)₂(H₂PO₄) and Cs₅(HSO₄)₃(H₂PO₄)₂ were formed during milling. The mechanochemically treated composite consisting of Cs₃(HSO₄)₂(H₂PO₄) and Cs₅(HSO₄)₃(H₂PO₄)₂ showed higher conductivity than the untreated mixture. In addition, a high temperature phase of Cs₂(HSO₄)(H₂PO₄) was generated from the composite at around 100 °C on heating. Conductivity of the mechanochemically treated composite significantly increased at temperatures around 90 °C on heating. The value becomes 2 × 10^− 3 S cm^− 1 at around 180 °C. On the other hand, no steep decrease is observed on cooling. The activation energies of the mechanically milled sample with high conductivities were estimated to be about 0.3 eV for both heating and cooling processes. The relatively high proton conductivity and a low activation energy for the proton conduction should be ascribed to the presence of the high temperature phase of Cs₂(HSO₄)(H₂PO₄).     

Preparation of Li1.5Al0.5Ti1.5(PO4)3 solid electrolyte via a co-precipitation method

The co-precipitation method can make the materials react uniformly at molecular level and has the advantages of lower polycrystalline synthesized temperature and shorter sintering time. Therefore, it is expected that the mass production of Li_1.5Al_0.5Ti_1.5(PO₄)₃ (LATP) solid electrolyte would be possible by application of the co-precipitation method for LATP preparation. In this study, an application of the co-precipitation method for a preparation of LATP solid electrolyte is attempted. Crystallized LATP powder is obtained by heating precipitant containing Li, Al, Ti, and PO₄ at 800 °C for 30 min. The LATP bulk sintered pellet is successfully prepared using the crystallized LATP powder by calcinating at 1,050 °C. The cross-sectional SEM images show that many crystal grains exist, and the grains are in good contact with each other, i.e., there is no void space. All diffraction peaks of the pellet are attributed to LATP in XRD pattern. The sintered pellet is obtained by calcinating at 1,050 °C, which is more than 150 °C lower than that of conventional method. The LATP solid electrolyte shows a good conductivity which is 1.4?×?10^?3 S cm^?1 for bulk and 1.5?×?10^?4 S cm^?1 for total conductivities, respectively.     

Fabrication and characterization of solid state proton conductor (NH4)2SiP4O13–NH4PO3 for fuel cells operated at 150–250 °C

NH₄PO₃–(NH₄)₂SiP₄O₁₃ composite, a potential electrolyte for intermediate temperature fuel cells that operated around 250 °C, was synthesized with a solid-state reaction method. Electromotive forces (emfs) as measured with hydrogen concentration cells showed that the composite was a pure proton conductor at hydrogen partial pressure from 10² to 10⁵ Pa. Its proton transference numbers were determined to be 1.0 at 150 °C, 0.99 at 200 °C, and 0.99 at 250 °C. Fuel cells that used NH₄PO₃–(NH₄)₂SiP₄O₁₃ as electrolytes were also fabricated. Maximum power density was 6.6 mW/cm² at 250 °C when dry hydrogen and dry oxygen were used as the fuel and oxidant, respectively. Improved cell performance is expected by increasing cathode activity, increasing the electrolyte density, and decreasing the electrolyte thickness.     

Crystal structure analysis of Li<Subscript>3</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript> powder prepared by wet chemical reaction and solid-state reaction by using X-ray diffraction (XRD)

Lithium phosphate (Li₃PO₄) is one of the promising solid electrolyte materials for lithium-ion battery because of its high ionic conductivity. A crystalline form of Li₃PO₄ had been prepared by two different methods. The first method was wet chemical reaction between LiOH and H₃PO₄, and the second method was solid-state reaction between Li₂O and P₂O₅. Crystal structure of Li₃PO₄ white powder had been investigated by using an X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The results show that Li₃PO₄ prepared by wet chemical reaction belongs to orthorhombic unit cell of β-Li₃PO₄ with space group Pmn2₁. Meanwhile, Li₃PO₄ powder prepared by solid-state reaction belongs to orthorhombic unit cell of γ-Li₃PO₄ with space group Pmnb and another unknown phase of Li₄P₂O₇. The impurity of Li₄P₂O₇ was due to phase transformation in solid state reaction during quenching of molten mixture from high temperature. Ionic conductivity of Li₃PO₄ prepared by solid-state reaction was ～3.10^?7 S/cm, which was higher than Li₃PO₄ prepared by wet chemical reaction ～4.10^?8 S/cm. This increasing ionic conductivity may due to mixed crystal structures that increased Li-ion mobility in Li₃PO₄.     

Glass transition (Tg) and dielectric loss in Na3PO4–Pb3(PO4)2–BiPO4 phosphate glasses

Thermal and dielectric loss properties of Na₃PO₄-Pb₃(PO₄BiPO₄ (Na₂O-PbO-Bi₂O₃-P₂O₅) phosphate glasses, have been studied by the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and electrical factor loss (tgδ) measurements. Experiments have been carried out from ambient temperature to 500°C and show a strong influence of sodium ions on T_g and tgδ.     

XRD, conductivity and FTIR studies on LiI-Li2WO4-Li3PO4 prepared by low temperature sintering

Different amounts of Li₃PO₄ were mixed to a fixed ratio of LiI:Li₂WO₄, ground and pelletised before subjected to sintering at 70°C for 7 days. XRD shows that the product formed after sintering process is most likely Li₆P₄W₈O₃₂ due to peaks present at 10.6°, 22.4°, 24.0°, 24.4, 26.2°, 32.4° and 34.0°. Conductivity studies show that the sample with 25 wt.% Li₃PO₄ exhibits the highest room temperature conductivity of 3.42×10⁻³ Scm⁻¹. Conductivity is expected to occur through channel-like structures which could have formed due to corner or edge sharing of polyhedra. FTIR studies have shown the existence of WO₄ tetrahedra and WO₆ octahedral at 850 cm⁻¹ and 952 cm⁻¹, and phosphate tetrahedral at 564 cm⁻¹, 700 cm⁻¹, 890 cm⁻¹ and 1030 cm⁻¹.