Electrochemical lithium intercalation into WO3 and lithium tungstates Li x WO3+ x /2 of various structures

Hexagonal and monoclinic tungsten trioxides WO₃ and hexagonal lithium tungstates Li _x WO_{3+ x /2} (x = 0.10–0.42) from a soft chemistry route were used as the active cathode material in secondary lithium batteries. The hexagonal structures, regardless of their being an oxide or a tungstate, showed higher specific capacities and better cycling behavior in Li⁺ intercalation reactions than the monoclinic form. The presence of pre-allocated lithium (as Li₂O) in hexagonal tungstates decreased the capacity for lithium intercalation. Additionally, the plot of open-circuit voltage (OCV) against the depth of intercalation (n) for anhydrous tungstates showed two straight lines with different slopes that can be related to the structural changes in lithium intercalation. The effective diffusion coefficients of lithium insertion into the host structure, D˜, were also found to be dependent on the structure and the composition of these compounds. Received: 28 November 1997 / Accepted: 6 March 1998     

Ternary diffusion coefficients of diethylene glycol and lithium chloride in aqueous solutions containing diethylene glycol and lithium chloride

In this work, ternary diffusion coefficients of diethylene glycol and lithium chloride in aqueous solutions containing diethylene glycol and lithium chloride were reported for temperatures (303.2, 308.2, and 313.2 K) using the Taylor dispersion method. The investigated ternaries contained total glycol–salt concentrations of 10, 15, and 20 wt%. The main diffusion coefficients (D₁₁ and D₂₂) and the cross-diffusion coefficients (D₁₂ and D₂₁) were discussed as function of temperature and concentration. A modified equation originally proposed by Batchelor [1] for mixture of hard spheres in a continuum solvent was used to correlate the present diffusion coefficient data and the results are satisfactory.     

Effect of the ZnNi y Mn2– y O4 (0 ≤ y ≤ 1) spinel composition on electrochemical lithium insertion

The electrochemical insertion of lithium in the spinel-type manganite with the formula ZnNi _y Mn_{2– y} O₄ has been studied. The galvanostatic discharge curves show that the best performance is obtained for y = 0.25, where a tetragonal to cubic structural transformation occurs. The thermodynamics and kinetics of the process of insertion of the lithium into the tetragonal spinel Li _x ZnNi_0.25Mn_1.75O₄ (x = 0.05–1.3) have been studied. The molar thermodynamic quantities, such as enthalpy, entropy and free energy determined by EMF-T measurements, varied with the lithium concentration in the oxide structure, and a major variation was observed around x = 0.8. The chemical diffusion coefficient of lithium in these spinels was also determined. Structural analysis, degree of oxidation and magnetic susceptibility measurements were carried out for the lithiated oxides in order to obtain the cationic distribution as a function of x. It has been possible to demonstrate that, upon lithium insertion, Mn⁴⁺ ions on B sites are reduced to Mn³⁺ and then to Mn²⁺. A cooperative Jahn-Teller effect is present in these spinel manganese-nickel oxides. Received: 4 February 1997 / Accepted: 11 April 1997     

Inorganic adsorbent containing polymeric membrane reservoir for the recovery of lithium from seawater

Polymeric membrane reservoir system which contains inorganic ion-exchange adsorbent inside is suggested for the recovery of lithium from natural seawater. Manganese oxide particles having high selectivity toward lithium adsorption was used as inorganic ion-exchange adsorbent. Polymeric membrane reservoir was prepared from non-woven fabric, polysulfone (PSf) membrane, PSf/non-woven fabric composite membrane, and Kimtex^®. Leakage of the inorganic particles and morphology of the membrane were investigated and availability as membrane reservoir for the lithium recovery was evaluated by the lithium desorption from Li_1.33Mn_1.67O₄ in the membrane reservoir. From this study, ease of water diffusion to the reservoir was the most important factor for the reservoir system to be applied to lithium recovery from seawater and membrane reservoir prepared by Kimtex^® showed the best result. The proposed system has the advantage of direct application in the sea without using pressurized flow system.     

Ion association in lithium metaborate solution: a Raman and ab initio insight

Ion association and hydration clusters in aqueous lithium borate solution are extremely important to understand some extraordinary properties of lithium borates. In the present work, polyborate distribution in aqueous LiBO₂ solution was investigated through Raman and thermodynamics equilibrium analysis. Geometry and stability of hydrated clusters LiB(OH)₄(H₂O)_n up to n = 8 were calculated at the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ level. Three different types of ion association, namely, contact ion pairs (CIP), solvent-shared ion pairs (SIP) and solvent separated ion pairs (SSIP) were obtained; characteristics of all of these stable configurations were determined, and the most stable hydrated clusters were chosen. Then the mechanisms of ion aggregation and crystal nuclei formation in the LiB(OH)₄ solution were proposed. The tight four-hydrated sphere of Li⁺ makes it difficult for the dehydrated form of its first hydration sphere to from a CIP, which is the passible reason that lithium borate always has a large super-saturation degree.     

Mineral salts removal and lithium traces determination in highly concentrated solutions and natural brines

The usual methods, of lithium traces determination, refer in particular to the aqueous solutions whose dry residues do not exceed 7 g L⁻¹. Flame spectrometry or atomic absorption is used for the determination of the considered element.In the case of natural brines, the total dissolved salt ranges from 250 to 350 g L⁻¹. Consequently the determination of lithium traces in this kind of solutions, by the above mentioned spectroscopic methods, may be disturbed due to interferences phenomena. So, a preparatory processing step of the samples is needed.In order to prevent the mentioned phenomena, the total or partial removal of mineral salts, by adding appropriate organic solvent, is carried out. Accordingly, it is significant to make sure that the total quantity of lithium remains in the solution.Therefore, the experimental conditions (sulfate ion removal, solvent ratio and solid-liquid contact time) are optimized. After that the different experimental steps are arranged to make sure the lithium determination, by flame spectrometry, practicable.Finally, the established method is applied firstly to determine Li⁺ in some natural brines and secondly to estimate the lithium reserves in the Tunisian natural brines deposits.     

Raman spectroscopic study of four isotopically substituted lithium hydroxide monohydrates

Raman spectral data of polycrystals of four isotopically substituted lithium hydroxide monohydrates,⁶LiOH·H₂O,⁷LiOH·H₂O,⁶LiOD·D₂O and⁷LiOD·D₂O, have been investigated in the 4,000–50 cm^–1 region. The observed spectra have been analyzed and discussed taking into account the results of the factor group analysis and the H/D and⁶Li/⁷Li isotope effects on the fundamental wavenumbers.

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Raman-spektroskopische Untersuchung von vier isotopisch substituierten Lithiumhydroxid-Monohydraten

Zusammenfassung Raman-spektroskopische Daten von⁶LiOH·H₂O,⁷LiOH·H₂O,⁶LiOD·D₂O und⁷LiOD·D₂O werden im Bereich von 4000 bis 50 cm^–1 angegeben. Die beobachteten Spektren werden analysiert und im Hinblick auf Faktorgruppenanalyse und auf die Isotopeneffekte H/D und⁶Li/⁷Li diskutiert.

     

Ionization of lithium vapor byCW quasiresonant laser light

We report measurements of the excitation and ionization of dense lithium vapor irradiated byCW dye laser light scanning the 2² P?3² D lithium atomic transition at 610.3 nm. Lithium vapor with a density of 8×10¹⁶ cm^?3 was ionized by a focused beam with as little as 1 mW of single-frequency laser power. The ionization mechanism has been studied and found to consist of a three stage process in which both atomic and molecular absorption of the laser power, two distinct collisional processes, and single-photon ionization of excited lithium atoms all play essential roles.     

Electrolyte additive maintains high performance for dendrite-free lithium metal anode

Because of their high capacity and low potential, lithium metal anodes are considered to be promising candidates for next generation electrode materials. However, the safety concerns and limited cycling life associated with uncontrollable dendrite growth hamper practical applications. In this work, the acidified cellulose ester, which is a mixed fiber microporous membrane film, was used as a novel electrolyte additive that effectively improves the cycle stability of the lithium metal anode and inhibits dendrite growth. The focus of this paper is on inhibiting the formation and growth of lithium dendrites. The coulombic efficiency of a Li|Cu battery with this acidified cellulose ester additive remains stable at 99% after 500 cycles under a current density of 1 mA/cm². Symmetric batteries also remain stable after 500 cycles (1000 h) under a current density of 1 mA/cm². These superior properties can be ascribed to the induced nucleation and the uniform distribution of lithium ion flux. This study uncovers an approach for effectively enabling stable cycling of dendrite-free lithium metal anodes.     

Investigating the oxidation state of Fe from LiFePO4-based lithium ion battery cathodes via capillary electrophoresis

A capillary electrophoresis (CE) method with ultraviolet/visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy for iron speciation in lithium ion battery (LIB) electrolytes was developed. The complexation of Fe²⁺ with 1,10-phenantroline (o-phen) and of Fe³⁺ with ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) revealed effective stabilization of both iron species during sample preparation and CE measurements. For the investigation of small electrolyte volumes from LIB cells, a sample buffer with optimal sample pH was developed to inhibit precipitation of Fe³⁺ during complexation of Fe²⁺ with o-phen. However, the presence of the conducting salt lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF₆) in the electrolyte led to the precipitation of the complex [Fe(o-phen)₃](PF₆)₂. Addition of acetonitrile (ACN) to the sample successfully re-dissolved this Fe²⁺-complex to retain the quantification of both species. Further optimization of the method successfully prevented the oxidation of dissolved Fe²⁺ with ambient oxygen during sample preparation, by previously stabilizing the sample with HCl or by working under counterflow of argon. Following dissolution experiments with the positive electrode material LiFePO₄ (LFP) in LIB electrolytes under dry room conditions at 20°C and 60°C mainly revealed iron dissolution at elevated temperatures due to the formation of acidic electrolyte decomposition products. Despite the primary oxidation state of iron in LFP of +2, both iron species were detected in the electrolytes that derive from oxidation of dissolved Fe²⁺ by remaining molecular oxygen in the sample vials during the dissolution experiments.     

Ionic conduction of lithium for Perovskite-type compounds, Li x La(1− x )/3NbO3 and (Li0.25La0.25)1− x Sr0.5 x NbO3

Perovskite-type compounds, Li _x La_{(1− x )/3}NbO₃ and (Li_0.25La_0.25)_{1− x} Sr_{0.5 x} NbO₃ as lithium ionic conductors, were synthesized by a solid-state reaction. From powder X-ray diffraction, the solid solution ranges of the two compounds were determined to be 0≤x≤0.25 and 0≤x≤0.125, respectively. In the Li _x La_{(1− x )/3}NbO₃ system, the ionic conductivity of lithium at room temperature, σ₂₅, exhibited a maximum value of 4.7 × 10⁻⁵ S · cm⁻¹ at x = 0.10. However, because of the decrease in the lattice parameters with increasing Li concentration x˙, σ₂₅ of the samples decreased with increasing x from 0.10 to 0.25. Also, in the (Li_0.25La_0.25)_{1− x} Sr_{0.5 x} NbO₃ system, the lattice parameter increased with the increase of Sr concentration and the σ₂₅ achieved a maximum (7.3 × 10⁻⁵ S · cm⁻¹ at 25 °C) at x = 0.125. Received: 12 September 1997 / Accepted: 15 November 1997     

EC modified PEO/PVDF-LLZO composite electrolytes for solid state lithium metal batteries

The polymer-ceramic composite electrolytes have great application potential for next-generation solid state lithium batteries, as they have the merits to eliminate the problem of liquid organic electrolytes and enhancing chemical/electrochemical stability. However, polymer-ceramic composite electrolytes show poor ionic conductivity, which greatly hinders their practical applications. In this work, the addition of plasticizer ethylene carbonate (EC) into polymer-ceramic composite electrolyte for lithium batteries effectively promotes the ionic conductivity. A high ionic conductivity can be attained by adding 40 wt% EC to the polyethylene oxide (PEO)/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ (LLZO) based polymer-ceramic composite electrolytes, which is 2.64 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ (tested at room temperature). Furthermore, the cell assembled with lithium metal anode, this composite electrolyte, and LiFePO₄ cathode can work more than 80 cycles at room temperature (tested at 0.2 C). The battery delivers a high reversible specific capacity after 89 cycles, which is 119 mAh g⁻¹.     

Higher hydrates of lithium chloride,lithium bromide and lithium iodide

For lithium halides, LiX (X = Cl, Br and I), hydrates with a water content of 1, 2, 3 and 5 moles of water per formula unit are known as phases in aqueous solid–liquid equilibria. The crystal structures of the monohydrates of LiCl and LiBr are known, but no crystal structures have been reported so far for the higher hydrates, apart from LiI·3H₂O. In this study, the crystal structures of the di‐ and trihydrates of lithium chloride, lithium bromide and lithium iodide, and the pentahydrates of lithium chloride and lithium bromide have been determined. In each hydrate, the lithium cation is coordinated octahedrally. The dihydrates crystallize in the NaCl·2H₂O or NaI·2H₂O type structure. Surprisingly, in the tri‐ and pentahydrates of LiCl and LiBr, one water molecule per Li⁺ ion remains uncoordinated. For LiI·3H₂O, the LiClO₄·3H₂O structure type was confirmed and the H‐atom positions have been fixed. The hydrogen‐bond networks in the various structures are discussed in detail. Contrary to the monohydrates, the structures of the higher hydrates show no disorder.     

Characterization of zinc-modified lithium tantalate thin films fabricated by chemical solution deposition method

Zinc-substituted lithium tantalate thin films were fabricated for improving the electrical resistivity by compensating the valence of lattice defects in LiTaO₃ crystal. The films with the chemical composition of (Li_1.00-x Zn _x )TaO₃ were fabricated on (111)Pt/TiO₂/SiO₂/(100)Si substrate by a chemical solution deposition technique using metal-organic precursors. Dense films consisting of a ilumenite-type crystalline phase were deposited by spin coating on the substrates, followed by heat-treatment at 650°C for 5 min in air. The leakage current density of the LiTaO₃ film was reduced from approximately 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻⁶ A/cm² by substituting Zn²⁺ ions for Li⁺ ions in the LiTaO₃ films. Polarization–electric field hysteresis loop was improved significantly by partial substitution of Zn²⁺ for Li⁺ ions, which is based on the enhancement of electrical resistivity.     

The network gel polymer electrolyte based on poly(acrylate-co-imide) and its transport properties in lithium ion batteries

Poly (acrylate-co-imide)-based gel polymer electrolytes are synthesized by in situ free radical polymerization. Infrared spectroscopy confirms the complete polymerization of gel polymer electrolytes. The ionic conductivity of gel polymer electrolytes are measured as a function of different repeating EO units of polyacrylates. An optimal ionic conductivity of the poly (PEGMEMA₁₁₀₀-BMI) gel polymer electrolyte is determined to be 4.8 × 10^–3 S/cm at 25 °C. The lithium transference number is found to be 0.29. The cyclic voltammogram shows that the wide electrochemical stability window of the gel polymer electrolyte varies from −0.5 to 4.20 V (vs. Li/Li⁺). Furthermore, we found the transport properties of novel gel polymer electrolytes are dependent on the EO design and are also related to the rate capability and the cycling ability of lithium polymer batteries. The relationship between polymer electrolyte design, lithium transport properties and battery performance are investigated in this research.     

Li7PS6 and Li6PS5X (X: Cl,Br, I): Possible Three‐dimensional Diffusion Pathways for Lithium Ions and Temperature Dependence of the Ionic Conductivity by Impedance Measurements

Possible three‐dimensional diffusion pathways of lithium ions in crystalline lithium argyrodites are discussed based on earlier studies of local dynamics and site preferences. The specific Li‐ionic conductivities of the lithium argyrodites Li₇PS₆ and Li₆PS₅X (X: Cl, Br, I) and their temperature dependences are measured by impedance spectroscopy using different electron‐blocking and ion‐blocking electrode systems. Measurements were carried out between 160 K and 550 K depending on the respective sample. Bulk and grain boundary contributions and the influence of sample preparation are discussed. Typical values for the ionic conductivities at room temperature are in the range 10^–7 to 10^–5 S ·  cm^–1 and at 500 K between 10^–6 and 10^–3 S ·  cm^–1. Thermal activation energies are in the range 0.16 to 0.56 eV. The electronic conductivity at room temperature was measured by polarization measurements for the samples Li₆PS₅X (X: Cl, Br) and was shown to be in the order of magnitude of 10^–8 S ·  cm^–1. Chemical diffusion coefficients of lithium were calculated based on the polarization measurements. For Li₆PS₅Br a high value of 3.5 × 10^–6 cm² · s^–1 was found.     

Synthesis and electrochemical study of Li-Mn-Ni-O cathodes for lithium battery applications

Cathode powders of the Li–Mn–Ni–O system have been prepared at a Mn/(Mn+Ni) ratio varying from 0 to 1. The solid state reaction method was used to obtain the cathode materials by mixing MnO₂, LiCO₃ and NiO. A 20% excess of lithium was used in the precursors. The materials produced were examined by X-rays to identify their structure. Batteries were assembled by using these materials as cathode with a liquid electrolyte consisting of EC/DC 1:1, 1 LiPF₆ and Li anode. Their capacity, cycle fading and charge-discharge conditions were evaluated.Presented at the 3rd International Meeting "Advanced Batteries and Accumulators", June 16th–June 20th 2002, Brno, Czech Republic     

Nano lithium aluminate filler incorporating gel lithium triflate polymer composite: Preparation,characterization and application as an electrolyte in lithium ion batteries

Gel polymer composites electrolytes containing nano LiAlO₂ as filler were prepared using a solution cast technique and characterized using different techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (TG, DSC), Fourier transform infra – red spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). X-ray diffraction analysis showed the effect of lithium tri fluoro methane sulphonate (LiCF₃SO₃), poly vinyl acetate (PVAc) and nano lithium aluminate (LiAlO₂) on the crystalline structure of the poly vinylidene fluoride –co– hexa fluoro propylene (PVDF-co-HFP) matrix containing ethylene carbonate (EC) and diethyl carbonate (DEC) as plasticizers. FT-IR analysis confirmed both the good dissolution of the LiCF₃SO₃ salt and the good interaction of the nano LiAlO₂ filler with the polymer matrix. TG analysis showed the good thermal stability of the LiAlO₂ samples compared to the free one. Also, addition of nano LiAlO₂ filler enhanced the conductivity value of the polymer composites electrolytes. The sample containing 2 wt% of LiAlO₂ showed the highest conductivity value, 4.98 × 10⁻³ Ω ⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at room temperature, with good thermal stability behavior (T_d = 362 °C). This good conductive and thermally stable polymer nano composite electrolyte was evaluated as a promising membrane for lithium ion batteries application.     

Oxygen-18 surface exchange and diffusion in Li2O-deficient single crystalline lithium niobate

¹⁸O/¹⁶O isotope exchange in combination with SIMS depth profiling was used to investigate oxygen transport in Li₂O-deficient single crystalline LiNbO₃ in the temperature range 983 ≤ T/K ≤ 1188 at 200 mbar oxygen. Within the limit of experimental error and for the investigated range of temperatures no significant differences between transport parallel and transport perpendicular to the c-axis were found. The following temperature dependencies were determined: for oxygen tracer diffusion D = 6.4 × 10⁻³exp[−333 kJ/mol/(RT)] m²/s; and for oxygen surface exchange k = 7.8 × 10²exp[−288 kJ mol⁻¹/(RT)] m/s. The activation enthalpy obtained for tracer diffusion can be interpreted as the enthalpy of migration of extrinsic oxygen vacancies induced by impurities with lower valency on niobium sites.     

Lithium insertion into titanium dioxide (anatase) electrodes: microstructure and electrolyte effects

Insertion characteristics of anatase electrodes were studied on single-crystal and polycrystalline electrodes of different microstructures. The lithium incorporation from propylene carbonate solution containing LiClO₄ and Li(CF₃SO₂)₂N was studied by means of cyclic voltammetry (CV), the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT). The electrode microstructure affects both the accessible coefficient x and the reversibility of the process. The highest insertion activity was observed for electrodes composed of crystals with characteristic dimensions of ∼10^–8 m. The insertion properties deteriorate for higher as well as for smaller crystal sizes. Enhanced insertion was observed in Li(CF₃SO₂)₂N-containing solutions. Lithium insertion is satisfactorily reversible for mesoscopic electrodes; the reversibility in the case of compact polycrystalline and single-crystal electrodes is poor. The reversibility of the insertion improves with increasing electrolyte concentration. The lithium diffusion coefficient decreases with increasing x and ranges between 10^–15 and 10^–18 cm² s^–1. Electronic Publication