Preparation of LiMn2O4 thin films by a sol–gel method

LiMn₂O₄ thin films were prepared by a sol–gel method using spin-coating and annealing processes. Anhydrous Mn(CH₃COCHCOCH₃)₃ (manganese acetylacetonate) and LiCH₃COCHCO–CH₃ (lithium acetylacetonate) were chosen as source materials. The film electrochemical properties depended on the drying temperature even when subjected to the same annealing conditions. The discharge capacity of annealed film increased as the drying temperature was increased. However, the rate of capacity fading during cycling increased as the drying temperature was increased.     

Improvement of electrochemical properties of the spinel LiMn2O4 using a Cr dopant effect

A series of LiCr_xMn_2−xO₄ spinels were synthesised by the Pechini method which enables dopant Cr ions to distribute at Mn sites homogeneously. Neutron diffraction and EDS analysis confirmed that Cr ions do occupy 16d sites (octahedral intestial) evenly in the spinel structure. The Cr dopant effect improves the cyclability of spinel LiMn₂O₄ electrodes and decreases the self-discharge rate substantially. Cyclic voltammetry and AC impedance spectroscopy were employed to characterise the reactions of lithium insertion into and extraction from LiCr_xMn_2−xO₄ electrodes. It was found that a thicker surface layer was formed on the surface of the pure LiMn₂O₄ electrode than on the LiMn₂O₄ electrode.     

Pressure dependence of the thermal stability in LiMn2O4

Structural stability in terms of the decomposition temperature in LiMn₂O₄ was systematically investigated by a series of high-temperature and high-pressure experiments.LiMn₂O₄ was found to have structural stability up to 5 GPa at room temperature.Under ambient pressure,the compound decomposed at 1300℃.The decomposition temperature decreased with increasing pressure,yielding more complex decomposed products.Below the decomposition temperature,the crystal structure of LiMn₂O₄ varied with pressure.The presented results in this study offer new insights into the thermal and pressure stability of LiMn₂O₄ materials as a cathode for lithium-ion batteries that can operate under extreme conditions.Therefore,these findings may serve as a useful guide for future work for improving lithium-ion batteries.     

Lithium extraction/insertion from LiMn2O4 — effect of crystallinity

Effect of host crystallinity on lithium extraction/insertion of LiMn₂O₄ was studied. LiMn₂O₄ powders with different crystallinity were prepared via lithium-manganese-tartrates by heat treatment at various temperatures above 300 °C. First charge-discharge capacity around 4 V depended on lattice parameter a₀ and lattice strain . On the other hand, the first discharge capacity around 3 V was found to be independent of these parameters.     

电池正极材料中Li+运动特性的7Li NMR研究

利用变温⁷LiNMR实验对Li-电池正极材料LiMn₂O₄和LiCoO₂中Li⁺的运动特性进行了研究,结果表明,随实验温度的提高,LiMn₂O₄的⁷LiNMR谱线窄化,表明其中Li⁺迁移能力增加,而LiCoO₂的谱线无变化.此外随温度提高,LiMn₂O₄的⁷Li的T₁变短,而LiCoO₂的T₁变长,产生这种不同变化趋势的原因在于LiMn₂O₄和LiCoO₂晶相结构的差异造成其中Li⁺迁移能力的差别,它们各自的相关时间τ_c使⁷Li核的T₁分别位于T₁-τ_c曲线极小点两侧.     

An electrochemical investigation of Li intercalation in the sol-gel LiMn2O4 spinel oxide

An alternative approach for obtaining the LiMn₂O₄ spinel phase is provided by the use of the sol-gel method in aqueous solution. The main electrochemical properties of the sol-gel LiMn₂O₄ phase are reported. In addition to chronopotentiometric and voltammetric experiments, the kinetics of the electrochemical insertion–extraction of lithium in Li_xMn₂O₄ (0.25<x<1) has been investigated using ac impedance spectroscopy. The strong variation of the chemical diffusion coefficient D_Li vs x, in the range 10⁻⁸–10⁻¹¹ cm² s⁻¹ (D_Li is found to be maximum for x=0.55) is critically discussed.     

SrBi4Ti4O15的化学键性质和铁电性研究

通过原子环境计算方法分析了正交相SrBi₄Ti₄O₁₅晶体内的键络结构、各原子的空间配位数及局域团簇结构. 在此基础上, 结合晶体分解理论将SrBi₄Ti₄O₁₅晶体分解为多个二元赝晶体, 根据化学键介电理论计算得到各赝晶体所对应化学键的有效价电子密度、离子性等化学键性质. 通过键偶极矩建立了铁电体自发极化强度与化学键性质之间的关系, 求得正交相SrBi₄Ti₄O₁₅沿a轴方向的自发极化强度为28.03 μC/cm², 与实验结果和其他理论计算值符合较好.     

Magnli相亚氧化钛Ti8O15的电子结构和光学性能的第一性原理研究

采用基于密度泛函理论的平面波超软赝势法研究了Magneli相亚氧化钛Ti8O15的电子结构和光学性能.计算出的能带结构显示Ti₈O₁₅相比锐钛型TiO₂禁带宽度大幅度降低.态密度分析表明,其原因在于Ti₈O₁₅的O原子的2p轨道以及Ti原子的3p,3d轨道相对于TiO₂的相应轨道向左产生了偏移,同时由于O原子的缺失使得Ti原子的3d,3p轨道多余电子在Fermi能级附近聚集形成新的电子能级.态密度分析结果还显示,相对于TiO₂,Ti₈O₁₅Fermi能级附近电子格局发生了如下变化:O原子的2p轨道电子贡献减少,Ti原子的3d轨道的电子对Fermi能级贡献增大.光吸收计算图谱表明,TiO₂仅在紫外光区有较高的光吸收能力,而Ti₈O₁₅由于禁带宽度变窄引起光吸收范围红移到可见光区,从而在紫外光区和可见光区都有较高的光吸收能力,计算结果与实验得到的紫外-可见漫反射吸收光谱结果一致.     

CaO-Al2O3-SiO2熔渣结构和热导率的分子动力学模拟

利用分子动力学模拟研究CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂三元熔渣的微观结构和热导率。针对六组不同Al₂O₃含量的熔渣,基于BMH势函数分析了径向分布函数、键长、键角分布函数、氧类型和微结构单元Qⁿ等微观结构信息。结果表明硅和铝在熔渣中以四面体网络结构存在,硅氧四面体较铝氧四面体更为稳定。随着铝含量增加,熔体中的键长和四面体中心角无明显变化,Al-O-Al和Si-O-Al键角逐渐减小;网络中的桥氧(BO)和三配位氧(TO)含量增加,Q³和Q⁴含量增多,在高铝区出现较多的五配位铝(Al^V)。采用Muller-Plathe方法计算了熔渣的热导率,随着铝替代硅原子,网络的聚合程度增加,强化了熔体的热输运能力,热导率呈现增大趋势。     

Oxygen non-stoichiometry in the (Tl, Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O 1212 system

Materials in the (Tl, Pb) Sr₂CaCu₂O_7-δ system have been synthesised with different oxygen stoichiometrics and their structure and superconducting properties studied. Powder neutron-diffraction studies reveal that for δ>O vacancies exist in the thallium- oxygen layer leading to an increase in the c lattice parameter, apical copper-oxygen bond and the inter-cuprate layer distance. These structural changes are discussed in relation to the superconducting properties and comparisons drawn to the double-thallium layer materials.     

Origin of the low formation energy of oxygen vacancies in CeO2

Oxygen vacancies play a crucial role in determining the catalytic properties of Ce-based catalysts, especially in oxidation reactions. The design of catalytic activity requires keen insight into oxygen vacancy formation mechanisms. In this work, we investigate the origin of oxygen vacancies in CeO₂ from the perspective of electron density {via} high-energy synchrotron powder x-ray diffraction. Multipole refinement results indicate that there is no obvious hybridization between bonded Ce and O atoms in CeO₂. Subsequent quantitative topological analysis of the experimental total electron density reveals the closed-shell interaction behavior of the Ce—O bond. The results of first-principles calculation indicate that the oxygen vacancy formation energy of CeO₂ is the lowest among three commonly used redox catalysts. These findings indicate the relatively weak bond strength of the Ce—O bond, which induces a low oxygen vacancy formation energy for CeO₂ and thus promotes CeO₂ as a superior catalyst for oxidation reactions. This work provides a new direction for design of functional metal oxides with high oxygen vacancy concentrations.     

稀土掺杂对钴铁氧体电子结构和磁性能影响的理论研究

尖晶石型铁氧体是十分重要的磁性材料之一, 具有独特的物理性质、化学特性、磁学特性和电子特性. 其中尖晶石型钴铁氧体具有较好的电磁性质而被广泛应用. 本文基于密度泛函理论(DFT) 的第一性原理平面波赝势法, 结合广义梯度近似(GGA+U), 研究了CoRE_0.125Fe_1.875O₄ (RE = Nd, Eu, Gd)体系的电子结构和磁性能. 结果表明随着稀土元素从Nd到Gd掺杂体系晶胞的晶格常数呈递减趋势. 磁性能依赖于稀土离子(RE³⁺)4f轨道未配对的电子数, 掺杂Eu和Gd能够提高钴铁氧体体系的磁矩, 主要因为它们3+价态离子具有较多未配对的4f电子, 因而对磁性能的影响较大. 然而Nd 的掺杂对体系磁性能的影响很小, 这是由于它的离子半径较大, 导致晶格发生畸变.     

过渡金属Cu、Cr掺杂TiO2表面氧化性气体NO2光学气敏传感特性

采用密度泛函理论（DFT）体系广义梯度近似（GGA）第一性原理平面波超软赝势方法,分析锐钛矿型TiO₂（101）表面吸附NO₂分子光学气敏传感的微观机理.结果表明：Cu和Cr原子易于掺入TiO₂（101）表面,掺杂表面能稳定地吸附NO₂分子且吸附后光学性质发生显著变化.表面吸附NO₂分子后,Cu掺杂TiO₂（101）表面对分子的吸附能最大,吸附后结构更稳定,分子与表面的距离最短.通过分析差分电荷密度和电荷布居数发现,NO₂分子与基底表面间发生电荷转移,转移电子数目：Cu掺杂表面 > Cr掺杂表面 > 无掺杂表面.对比吸收光谱和反射光谱发现,在Cu掺杂表面吸附分子后,光学性质变化最明显,说明表面与吸附分子间氧化还原能力是决定光学气敏传感性能的核心因素.在过渡金属中,Cu与Cr都有4s价电子结构,其4s电子降低了材料表面氧空位的氧化性,增加了其还原性.对于氧化性气体,可以提升表面与分子的氧化还原作用,而Cu的4s电子更加活泼,从而光学气敏传感特性更加明显.因此,Cu掺杂的TiO₂对氧化性气体是一种较好的光学气敏传感材料.     

Hole distribution and madelung energy in the high-Tc oxide superconductors

Evidence is presented that in high-T_c superconductors the electrostatic interaction as expressed by the Madelung energy is the key factor in determining the charge distribution and in particular the distribution of the holes between the CuO₂-planes and other structural subunits. Specifically, this explains the phase diagram (T_c as a function of oxygen content and oxidizing power) of cation-substituted YBa₂Cu₃O_6+y and the oxygen ordering in YBa₂Cu₃O_6.5. Moreover, we argue that the dependence of T_c on strontium content in La_2−xSr_xCuO₄ is similarly due to the fact that holes go into the (La,Sr)O-sheets as well as into the CuO₂-planes.     

具有氧空位Bi_xWO_6(1.81≤x≤2.01)的第一性原理计算和光催化性能研究

为了探索影响Bi_2WO_6光催化性能的内在机制,采用密度泛函理论(DFT)计算和实验研究了非化学计量和氧空位对Bi_2WO_6晶体结构、电子结构和显微结构的影响.采用溶剂热法合成了具有氧空位的非化学计量Bi_xWO_6(x=1.81,1.87,1.89,1.92,2.01)光催化剂.DFT计算结果表明,氧空位的存在可显著减小Bi_2WO_6的带隙,有利于光生电子的生成.实验结果表明,当Bi元素的含量小于化学计量比时,Bi_2WO_6的晶体结构发生了微小变形,Bi元素含量对Bi_2WO_6的显微结构影响不大,但会影响产品氧空位的含量和光吸收性能,并有效抑制电子空穴的复合.Bi_(1.89)WO_6产品的光催化性能最佳,可见光照射180 min后,可降解98%的罗丹明B.采用适当方法,使产品具有氧空位和非化学计量是获得高光催化活性材料的一种有效方法.     

A low cost composite quasi-solid electrolyte of LATP,TEGDME,and LiTFSI for rechargeable lithium batteries

The composite quasi solid state electrolytes(CQSE) is firstly synthesized with quasi solid state electrolytes(QSE) and lithium-ion-conducting material Li_(1.4)Al_(0.4)Ti_(1.6)(PO_4)_3(LATP), and the QSE consists of [LiG4][TFSI] with fumed silica nanoparticles. Compared with LATP, CQSE greatly improves the interface conductance of solid electrolytes. In addition,it has lower liquid volume relative to QSE. Although the liquid volume fraction of CQSE is droped to 60%, its conductivity can also reach 1.39 × 10~(-4)S/cm at 20℃. Linear sweep voltammetry(LSV) is conducted on each composite electrolyte.The results show the possibility that CQSE has superior electrochemical stability up to 5.0 V versus Li/Li+. TG curves also show that composite electrolytes have higher thermal stability. In addition, the performance of Li/QSE/Li Mn_2O_4 and Li/CQSE/Li Mn_2O_4 batteries is evaluated and shows good electrochemical characteristics at 60℃.     

杂质S对Fe/Al_2O_3界面结合影响的第一性原理研究

采用基于密度泛函理论的第一性原理平面波赝势方法,研究了杂质S对Fe/Al_2O_3界面结合的影响.计算结果表明:S在界面上Fe3原子处的界面偏析能最小,因此S易于向Fe3原子处偏析.Fe/Al_2O_3界面的结合主要受界面两侧Fe和O原子间相互作用控制.态密度、键重叠布居数和电子密度的计算结果均表明:S在界面处的偏析减弱了界面处Fe原子和O原子之间的相互作用,而且S的存在会引起Fe和O原子之间较强的静电排斥,这些导致了界面结合力的下降.研究结果可以使我们深入理解S在Fe-Cr-Al合金界面处的偏析造成氧化膜与合金基体结合减弱及氧化膜在S偏聚处剥离的机理.     

低能离子对高温超导YBa_2Cu_3O_(7-δ)薄膜的表面改性和机理

低能氩离子束轰击并后退火处理的离子束表面改性,会影响高温超导薄膜的表面结构和超导特性,但是其中的深刻微观机理不清楚.本文通过连续改变离子束轰击时间,系统研究了离子束表面改性对于超导膜结构和临界电流密度的影响.通过扫描电子显微镜、X射线衍射、J_(c-scanning)测试表征样品的结构特性和超导特性,并得出内应变、氧空位缺陷等参量.研究表明,经过表面改性的钇钡铜氧(YBa_2Cu_3O_(7-δ),YBCO)薄膜,随轰击时间增加表面形貌会变得更加均匀致密,a轴晶粒消失,并且临界电流密度有了显著的提高.由化学键收缩配对模型分析得出,临界电流密度的提高与薄膜内应变增大和引发的局部YBCO结构中Cu—O键收缩有关.     

碱性介质电催化体系活性氧的生成及其光谱学研究

亚熔盐液相氧化技术可在相对低温下实现难分解两性金属矿物的高效转化,基于此进一步提出了碱性介质电化学活性氧协同强化新方法。利用紫外-可见光光谱和电子自旋共振波谱等手段对电催化体系活性氧的生成与转化机理进行了系统解析。通过阴极电催化的作用,在电极表面定向进行两电子氧气还原反应,原位产生大量的活性氧组分。研究发现过渡金属离子与两电子氧气还原产物HO-₂之间的“自诱发”效应,可生成具有更高氧化活性的羟基自由基,大幅促进两性金属转化过程,实现了碱性介质电化学高级氧化过程。利用紫外-可见光光谱检测到电化学体系活性氧催化氧化低价两性金属氧化物(Cr₂O₃和V₂O₃)的转化过程。与此同时,根据标准自由能变化的热力学数据计算可知,V₂O₃比Cr₂O₃更易在活性氧存在的条件下发生溶出反应。采用电子自旋共振波谱(ESR)对电催化体系内的羟基自由基进行检测,结果表明由V₂O₃引发的电化学-类Fenton反应激发产生的羟基自由基ESR信号比Cr₂O₃信号强。利用猝灭剂实验验证了具有高氧化电位的羟基自由基可以对两性金属液相氧化起到促进作用。该研究为碱性介质电化学矿物溶出实际反应提供理论参考。     

Oxygen vacancies and V co-doped Co_3O_4 prepared by ion implantation boosts oxygen evolution catalysis

Introducing heteroatoms and defects is a significant strategy to improve oxygen evolution reaction(OER) performance of electrocatalysts. However, the synergistic interaction of the heteroatom and defect still needs further investigations. Herein, we demonstrated an oxygen vacancy-rich vanadium-doped Co_3O_4(V–O_v–Co_3O_4), fabricated by V-ion implantation, could be used for high-efficient OER catalysis. X-ray photoelectron spectra(XPS) and density functional theory(DFT) calculations show that the charge density of Co atom increased, and the reaction barrier of reaction pathway from O*to HOO*decreased. V–O_v–Co_3O_4 catalyst shows a low overpotential of 329 mV to maintain current density of 10 m A·cm~(-2), and a small Tafel slope of 74.5 m V·dec~(-1). This modification provides us with valuable perception for future design of heteroatom-doped and defect-based electrocatalysts.