高容量梯度锂离子电池正极材料Li[Ni0.85Co0.08Mn0.07]O2的制备

通过改变金属离子的浓度比例,采用连续控制结晶法制备出镍钴锰金属元素连续浓度梯度变化的前驱体[Ni_(0.85)Co_(0.08)Mn_(0.07)](OH)_2。再与LiOH·H_2O混合,通过高温固相法得到全梯度材料Li[Ni_(0.85)Co_(0.08)Mn_(0.07)]O_2。XRD结果表明该梯度材料阳离子混排程度比纯相Li[Ni_(0.85)Co_(0.08)Mn_(0.07)]O_2更低,具有更好的层状结构。扫描电镜结果显示Li[Ni_(0.85)Co_(0.08)Mn_(0.07)]O_2具有球形形貌,粒径分布比较集中,颗粒平均粒径分布在11.5～12μm,切面元素扫描显示沿着球径方向从球心到外壳,镍含量越来越低,而钴锰的含量越来越高。越靠近颗粒表面,镍的含量越低,而钴锰的含量越高。电材料在0.1C放电倍率下首次放电比容量可达204.3 mAh·g~(-1),1C放电倍率的首次放电比容量为185.3 mAh·g~(-1),循环100次后,仍有164.7 mAh·g~(-1),容量保持率达89.17%。在高温55℃环境下,1C首次放电比容量可达202.7 mAh·g~(-1),容量保持率为85.84%,性能均好于纯相Li[Ni_(0.85)Co_(0.08)Mn_(0.07)]O_2。     

高镍系正极材料LiNi0.88Co0.07Al0.05O2的制备及性能表征

以镍钴氢氧化物为原料,采用异丙醇铝水解法合成Ni0.88Co0.07Al0.05(OH)2,将前驱体与锂源充分混合,通过3种烧结条件制备出球形LiNi0.88Co0.07Al0.05O2正极材料,借助X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、透射电镜(TEM)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)以及电化学测试等表征手段对材料的晶体结构、微观形貌和电化学性能进行了较系统的研究。研究表明,在500℃下保温3 h、700℃下保温14 h的条件下合成的LiNi0.88Co0.07Al0.05O2具有良好的综合电化学性能,0.2C放电比容量达192.2 mAh·g^-1,首次充放电效率为81.6%,1C放电比容量为190.7 mAh·g^-1,100周后放电比容量为141.1 mAh·g^-1,容量保持率达到73.4%。     

LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2制备过程中聚乙烯吡咯烷酮的加入对其电化学性能的影响

为提高LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.15)Al_(0.05)O_2(NCA)材料的电化学性能,在NCA材料的制备过程中加入聚乙烯吡咯烷酮(PVP),通过调控所得NCA材料的形貌来提高其电化学性能。所得材料采用X射线衍射仪和扫描电子显微镜进行形貌结构表征,电化学性能经组装成纽扣电池,用电池程控测试仪和电化学工作站进行测试。研究结果表明:由于PVP的空间效应和静电作用,PVP改性的NCA材料拥有更完整的棒状结构、发育出更好的层状结构,电化学储能性能得到较大的提升。在0.1C下,材料的首次放电比容量和充放电效率分别从143.36 mAh·g~(-1)、78.25%提高到了170.24 mAh·g~(-1)、89.20%;在0.2C的实验室条件下循环50次后,容量保持率为94.28%。     

金属有机框架衍生的高性能锂离子电池负极Co3O4/C复合材料

为克服Co_3O_4负极材料导电率低、循环稳定性差的缺点,选择Co_2(NDC)_2DMF_2(NDC=1,4-萘二甲酸根)为前驱体采用两步煅烧工艺,制备了具有高碳含量的Co_3O_4/C复合材料。采用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)和拉曼光谱对样品进行了表征。采用热重分析法(TGA)测定了Co_3O_4/C中非晶态碳的含量。作为锂离子电池的负极材料,Co_3O_4/C具有高的可逆比容量、优异的循环性能(在200 m A·g~(-1)的电流密度下,循环200圈后放电比容量稳定保持在1 000 mAh·g~(-1))和良好的倍率性能(在100、200、500、1 000和2 000 mA·g~(-1)的电流密度下,放电比容量为分别1 076.3、976.2、872.9、783.6和670.1 mAh·g~(-1))。材料优异的电化学性能归结为有机配体衍生的高含量非晶态碳的导电和缓冲作用有利于电子的快速传递并有效减缓了金属氧化物充放电过程中的体积膨胀。     

掺F影响LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2结构和性能的微观机制

以氟化锂为氟源,通过高温固相法合成了F掺杂的LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.1)Mn_(0.1)O_2。采用X射线衍射仪(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)和电化学测试等手段研究F影响LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.1)Mn_(0.1)O_2结构和性能的微观机制。结果表明:适量F掺杂可以提高正极材料的放电比容量,改善其倍率性、循环性和热稳定性。当F掺杂量(物质的量分数)为1.5%时,材料的综合电化学性能最优,初始放电比容量(0.2C)和50周循环容量保持率(1C)分别由原始的174.0 mAh·g~(-1)(78.7%)提高到178.6 mAh·g~(-1)(85.7%)。LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.1)Mn_(0.1)O_2材料性能的改善可归因于F能够增强过渡金属层、锂层与氧层之间的结合力,提高材料的结构稳定性。此外,F掺杂还有利于降低电化学反应中的界面电阻和电荷转移阻抗。     

表面活性剂对LiNi0.80Co0.15Al0.05O2的结构和性能影响

在共沉淀过程中添加表面活性剂聚乙二醇(PEG)或聚乙烯吡咯烷酮(PVP)分别合成类球形Ni_(0.80)Co_(0.15)Al_(0.05)(OH)_2前驱体,再与氢氧化锂(LiOH·H_2O)氧化煅烧得到LiNi_(0.80)Co_(0.15)Al_(0.05)O_2(NCA)三元正极材料。利用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、循环伏安(CV)、交流阻抗(EIS)和充放电循环测试等对材料的结构、形貌、电化学性能等进行表征。结果表明:PEG和PVP的添加不影响材料中Ni、Co和Al元素的比例,能够促进一次晶粒长大和提高振实密度,能够促进正极材料层状结构发育进而提高正极材料的电化学性能。添加PEG、添加PVP和未添加表面活性剂合成正极材料的振实密度分别为2.07、1.86和1.40 g·cm~(-3),在0.2C充放电过程中首次放电比容量分别为210.8、188.9和173.0 mAh·g~(-1),以0.2C充电1C放电循环100次后电池容量保持率分别为78.8%、93.2%和82.7%,添加PEG和PVP的NCA材料表现出良好的电化学性能。     

石墨烯修饰改性制备锂离子电池LiFePO4/LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2复合正极材料及其性能

采用两步干混-球磨方法制备了石墨烯掺杂改性的锂离子电池LiFePO_4/LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.15)Al_(0.05)O_2复合正极材料,实现LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.15)Al_(0.05)O_2材料的高容量和高安全性。借助X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、透射电镜(TEM)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)以及电化学测试等表征手段对材料的晶体结构、微观形貌和电化学性能进行了较系统的研究。结果表明,石墨烯的存在实现了Li Fe PO4材料在LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.15)Al_(0.05)O_2材料表面的完全包覆,形成致密的包覆层,进一步抑制LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.15)Al_(0.05)O_2与电解液之间的副反应,提高活性材料利用率和循环性能。三者之间构成导电网络,加快电子渗透和传输,提高倍率性能。Li Fe PO4质量分数为20%的Li Fe PO4-Graphene/LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.15)Al_(0.05)O_2样品具有最佳的容量性能和长循环性能,0.1C时放电容量达到202.5 m Ah·g~(-1),3C时放电容量仍然可保持在160.5 m Ah·g~(-1)。50℃在2.8~4.3 V,0.5C下循环100次后,容量保持率为91.9%,优于LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.15)Al_(0.05)O_2和LiFePO_4/LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.15)Al_(0.05)O_2样品的72.9%和82.0%。     

高压实富镍正极材料LiNi_(0.85)Co_(0.06)Mn_(0.06)Al_(0.03)O_2的制备

通过控制结晶法制备高密度类球形Ni_(0.85)Co_(0.06)Mn_(0.06)Al_(0.03)(OH)_2前驱体,与LiOH·H_2O均匀混合后,在820℃于氧气气氛下进行高温煅烧,最终合成高压实富镍正极材料Li Ni_(0.85)Co_(0.06)Mn_(0.06)Al_(0.03)O_2。通过扫描电子显微镜(SEM)表征前驱体、正极材料及正极片的形貌;X射线衍射(XRD)表明材料具有良好的六方单相层状α-NaFeO_2结构,能谱仪(EDS)分析表明材料颗粒中各组分含量呈均匀分布。制备的LiNi_(0.85)Co_(0.06)Mn_(0.06)Al_(0.03)O_2正极材料具有良好的加工性能和很高的压实密度,极片压实密度达到了3.82 g·cm~(-3)。以该极片组装的模拟电池具有良好的电化学性能,尤其具有优异的倍率性能,在电压区间2.8~4.3 V和0.2C电流密度充放电条件下,首次放电比容量为211.7 mAh·g~(-1),首次充放电效率88.9%,5C大倍率充放电条件下容量仍达到180.2 mAh·g~(-1),循环200周容量保持率为80.4%。     

Zr掺杂对正极材料Li(Ni0.9Co0.05Al0.05)O2的电化学性能影响

通过控制结晶法制备类球形Ni_(0.9)Co_(0.05)Al_(0.03)Zr_(0.02)(OH))2前驱体,与LiOH·H_2O均匀混合后,在750℃下于氧气中进行高温焙烧,最终合成正极材料Li(Ni_(0.9)Co_(0.05)Al_(0.05))O_2。扫描电子显微镜(SEM)结果显示前驱体及正极材料具有良好的形貌;X射线衍射(XRD)表明材料具有规整的六方单相层状α-Na FeO_2结构;能谱仪(EDXS)分析表明Zr元素在材料颗粒内部呈均匀分布。合成的Ni_(0.9)Co_(0.05)Al_(0.03)Zr_(0.02)O_2正极材料具有良好的电化学性能,在25℃,2.8~4.3 V充放电条件下,0.2C首次放电比容量为221.5 m Ah·g-1,充放电效率90.3%,2C倍率充放电条件下容量仍达到192.7 m Ah·g-1,100周循环后的容量保持率为92.2%。在55℃,2.8~4.3 V的高温充放电条件下,该材料的0.2C首次放电比容量可达236.2 m Ah·g-1,2C充放电倍率下循环100周容量保持率为85.1%。     

富锂正极材料xLi_2MnO_3·(1-x)LiNi_(0.5)Mn_(0.3)Co_(0.2)O_2的制备及其电化学性能研究

本文利用共沉淀法制备了富锂材料xLi_2MnO_3·(1-x)LiNi_(0.5)Mn_(0.3)Co_(0.2)O_2(0.3≤x≤0.7),并进行了X射线衍射(XRD),扫描电子显微镜(SEM),透射电子显微镜(TEM)和恒电流充放电测试。研究了在一定的反应温度下合成出的材料的电化学性能。结果表明,Li_(1.17)Mn_(0.48)Ni_(0.25)Co_(0.1)O_2在0.1 C下的放电比容量为240.3m Ah·g~(-1),其在1 C倍率下100次循环后的比容量为180.6 m Ah·g~(-1),容量保持率为89.4%.     

Sol-gel synthesis of K3InF6 and structural characterization of K2InC10O10H6F9, K3InC12O14H4F18 and K3InC12O12F18

K₃InF₆ is synthesized by a sol-gel route starting from indium and potassium acetates dissolved in isopropanol in the stoichiometry 1:3, with trifluoroacetic acid as fluorinating agent. The crystal structures of the organic precursors were solved by X-ray diffraction methods on single crystals. Three organic compounds were isolated and identified: K₂InC₁₀O₁₀H₆F₉, K₃InC₁₂O₁₄H₄F₁₈ and K₃InC₁₂O₁₂F₁₈. The first one, deficient in potassium in comparison with the initial stoichiometry, is unstable. In its crystal structure, acetate as well as trifluoroacetate anions are coordinated to the indium atom. The two other precursors are obtained, respectively, by quick and slow evaporation of the solution. They correspond to the final organic compounds, which give K₃InF₆ by decomposition at high temperature. The crystal structure of K₃InC₁₂O₁₄H₄F₁₈ is characterized by complex anions [In(CF₃COO)₄(OH_x)₂]^(5−2x)− and isolated [CF₃COOH_2−x]^(x−1)− molecules with x=2 or 1, surrounded by K⁺ cations. The crystal structure of K₃InC₁₂O₁₂F₁₈ is only constituted by complex anions [In(CF₃COO)₆]³⁻ and K⁺ cations. For all these compounds, potassium cations ensure only the electroneutrality of the structure. IR spectra of K₂InC₁₀O₁₀H₆F₉ and K₃InC₁₂O₁₂F₁₈ were also performed at room temperature on pulverized crystals.     

Preparation and structure of NaSr0.5Al2B2O7 and NaCa0.5Al2B2O7

Two compounds NaSr_0.5Al₂B₂O₇ and NaCa_0.5Al₂B₂O₇, have been found to crystallize into a new structure type by Rietveld refinement from X-ray powder diffraction data. Their structure belongs to hexagonal space group P6₃/m, with lattice parameters of , for NaSr_0.5Al₂B₂O₇ and , for NaCa_0.5Al₂B₂O₇, respectively. The structure is built up by [Al₂B₂O₇]²⁻ double layer and Na⁺/Ca²⁺ or Na⁺/Sr²⁺ ions alternatively stacking along the c-axis. The sites in the inter-double layer are fully occupied jointly by Na and Ca or Sr, but the intra-double layer sites are only half occupied solely by Na. A mechanism of the transition of the structure from CaAl₂B₂O₇ to present structure type by replacing only 1% Ca by Na (2%) as observed by Chang and Keszler (Mater. Res. Bull. 33 (1998) 299) is also proposed.     

Synthesis and characterization of quaternary selenides Sn2Pb5Bi4Se13 and Sn8.65Pb0.35Bi4Se15

Quaternary selenides Sn₂Pb₅Bi₄Se₁₃ and Sn_8.65Pb_0.35Bi₄Se₁₅ were synthesized from the elements in sealed silica tubes; their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction. Both compounds crystallize in monoclinic space group C2/m (No.12), with lattice parameters of Sn₂Pb₅Bi₄Se₁₃: a = 14.001(6) Å, b = 4.234(2) Å, c = 23.471(8) Å, V = 1376.2(1) Å³, R₁/wR₂ = 0.0584/0.1477, and GOF = 1.023; Sn_8.65Pb_0.35Bi₄Se₁₅: a = 13.872(3) Å, b = 4.2021(8) (4) Å, c = 26.855(5) Å, V = 1557.1(5) Å³, R₁/wR₂ = 0.0506/0.1227, and GOF = 1.425. These compounds exhibit tropochemical cell-twinning of NaCl-type structures with lillianite homologous series L(4, 5) and L(4, 7) for Sn₂Pb₅Bi₄Se₁₃ and Sn_8.65Pb_0.35Bi₄Se₁₅, respectively. Measurements of electrical conductivity indicate that these materials are semiconductors with narrow band gaps; Sn₂Pb₅Bi₄Se₁₃ is n-type, whereas Sn_8.65Pb_0.35Bi₄Se₁₅ is a p-type semiconductor with Seebeck coefficients −80(5) and 178(7) μV/K at 300 K, respectively.     

Li2O-TiO2-SiO2-P2O5和Li2O-TiO2-Al2O3-P2O5体系锂离子固体电解质的制备及性能研究

一些具有NASICON型网格结构的固体电解质具有高的电导率和好的稳定性,NASICON的意思是Na Super Ionic Conductor[1]。当NaZr2(PO4)3中P5 被Si4 部分取代时便可以得到具有NASICON结构的Na1 xZr2SixP3-xO12体系,其具有高的钠离子电导率。然而有相同结构的Li1 xZr2SixP3-xO12体系的离子电导率却很低,这是因为Li 半径太小,而NASICON三维网格结构的离子通道太大,两者不匹配而使电导率下降[2]。但当LiZr2(PO4)3中Zr4 被离子半径小些的Ti4 取代,所得LiTi2(PO4)3的通道就与Li 半径相匹配,适合于锂离子的迁移,从而使其电导率…     

Phase relations in the K2W2O7-K2WO4-KPO3-Bi2O3 system and structure of K6.5Bi2.5W4P6O34

The phase relations in the cross-section of the K₂W₂O₇-K₂WO₄-KPO₃ containing 15 mol% Bi₂O₃ were undertaken using flux method. Crystallization fields of K_6.5Bi_2.5W₄P₆O₃₄, K₂Bi(PO₄)(WO₄), Bi₂WO₆, KBi(WO₄)₂ and their cocrystallization areas were identified. Novel phase K_6.5Bi_2.5W₄P₆O₃₄ was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction: sp. gr. P−1, a=9.4170(5), b=9.7166(4), c=17.6050(7) Å, α=90.052(5)°, β=103.880(5)° and γ=90.125(5)°. It has a layered structure, which contains {K₇Bi₅W₈P₁₂O₆₈}_∞ layers stacked parallel to ab plane and sheets composed by potassium atoms separating these layers. Sandwich-like {K₇Bi₅W₈P₁₂O₆₈}_∞ layers are assembled from [W₂P₂O₁₃]_∞ and [BiPO₄]_∞ building units, and are penetrated by tunnels with K/Bi atoms inside. FTIR-spectra of K₂Bi(PO₄)(WO₄) and K_6.5Bi_2.5W₄P₆O₃₄ were discussed on the basis of factor group theory.     

Nitrato- and fluoroboracites M3B7O13NO3 and M3B7O13F

New boracites containing nitrato- or fluoroanions that appear to be true low-pressure phases have been synthesized at superatmospheric pressures. The M₃B₇O₁₃NO₃ compounds (M = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd) transform rapidly and reversibly in the temperature region 300–500°C between probable orthorhombic and face centered cubic symmetry, while the M₃B₇O₁₃F compounds (M = Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn) appear to maintain rhombohedral symmetry up to their decomposition temperatures of 800–900°C. True high-pressure boracite-like phases containing F and Cr, Mn, Fe, or Co that decompose upon heating to M₃B₇O₁₃F have also been isolated.     

Synthesis and characterization of inorganic solid electrolytes of Li2O-SiO2-P2O5 and Li2O-TiO2-SiO2-P2O5 systems

The lithium-ion-conducting inorganic solid electrolytes in the oxide systems Li₂O-SiO₂-P₂O₅ and Li₂O-TiO₂-SiO₂-P₂O₅ were prepared by the solid-state reaction, and the electrolyte pellet made by cold-pressing method had diameter of 13 mm and was about 1 mm thick. Phase identification and surface morphology of the products were carried out by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Ionic conductivity of the pellets was investigated through ac impedance. The results show that the adding of other cations can improve the ionic conductivity of the solid electrolyte, and the sintering temperature and duration can influence the ionic conductivity. The maximum ionic conductivity in the samples is 9.9 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm in the Li₂O-TiO₂-SiO₂-P₂O₅ system. Original Russian Text ? W. Li, M. Wang, Z.H. Li, X.F. Shang, H. Wang, Y.W. Wang, Y.B. Xu, 2007, published in Elektrokhimiya, 2007, Vol. 43, No. 11, pp. 1341–1345.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of CaY2Ge3O10 and CaY2Ge4O12

New compounds CaY₂Ge₃O₁₀ and CaY₂Ge₄O₁₂ were prepared by heating mixtures of CaCO₃, Y₂O₃ and GeO₂ at 1200 °C. CaY₂Ge₃O₁₀ is stable at 1300 °C, while CaY₂Ge₄O₁₂ decomposes into a melt and CaY₂Ge₃O₁₀ at approximately 1250 °C. We obtained single crystals of CaY₂Ge₃O₁₀ by cooling a sample with an initial composition of Ca:Y:Ge=1:2:8 from 1300 °C with a rate of −6 °C/h. The crystal structure of CaY₂Ge₃O₁₀ was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. CaY₂Ge₃O₁₀ crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a=6.0906(8), b=6.8329(8), and β=109.140(3)°, Z=4, and R₁=0.029 for I>2σ(I). In the structure of CaY₂Ge₃O₁₀, Ca and Y atoms are situated disorderly in three 7-fold coordination sites between isolated germanate groups of triple GeO₄ tetrahedra, Ge₃O₁₀. The structural formula of CaY₂Ge₃O₁₀ is expressed as (Ca_0.45Y_0.55)(Ca_0.46Y_0.54)(Ca_0.09Y_0.91)Ge₃O₁₀. The crystal structure of CaY₂Ge₄O₁₂ was analyzed by the Rietveld method for the X-ray powder diffraction pattern. CaY₂Ge₄O₁₂ is isotypic with SrNa₂P₄O₁₂, crystallizing in the orthorhombic space group P4/nbm, a=9.99282(6), , Z=2, R_wp=0.092, R_p=0.067. CaY₂Ge₄O₁₂ contains four-membered GeO₄-tetrahedra rings, Ge₄O₁₂. Eight-fold coordinated square-anitiprism sites and 6-fold octahedral sites between the layers of the Ge₄O₁₂ rings are occupied by Y atom and Ca/Y atoms, respectively The structural formula is Y(Ca_0.5Y_0.5)₂Ge₄O₁₂.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of Nd6Pt13In22, Sm6Pt12.30In22.70, and Gd6Pt12.48In22.52

The rare earth-platinum-indides Nd₆Pt₁₃In₂₂, Sm₆Pt_12.30In_22.70, and Gd₆Pt_12.48In_22.52 were synthesized from the elements by arc-melting of the components. Single crystals were grown using special annealing sequences. The three indides were investigated by X-ray powder and single crystal diffraction: Tb₆Pt₁₂In₂₃ type, C2/m, Z=2, a=2811.9(6), b=441.60(9), , β=112.10(3)°, wR₂=0.0629, 3645 F² values, 126 variables for Nd₆Pt₁₃In₂₂, a=2821.9(6), b=443.06(9), , β=112.39(3)°, wR₂=0.0543, 3679 F² values, 127 variables for Sm₆Pt_12.30In_22.70, and a=2818.5(6), b=439.90(9), , β=112.29(3)°, wR₂=0.0778, 3938 F² values, 127 variables for Gd₆Pt_12.48In_22.52. Most platinum atoms in these structures have a distorted trigonal prismatic coordination by rare earth metal and indium atoms. Together, the platinum and indium atoms build up a complex three-dimensional [Pt_12+xIn_23−x] polyanionic network in which the rare earth metal atoms fill distorted pentagonal and hexagonal channels. The 2c Wyckoff site in these structures plays a peculiar role. This site is occupied by indium in the prototype Tb₆Pt₁₂In₂₃, while platinum atoms fill the 2c site in Nd₆Pt₁₃In₂₂, leading to a linear Pt₃ chain with Pt-Pt distances of 275 pm. The crystals with samarium and gadolinium as rare earth metal component show mixed Pt/In occupancies.     

Syntheses and structures of CsHo3Te5 and Cs3Tm11Te18 and the electronic structure of CsHo3Te5

Single crystals of CsHo₃Te₅ and Cs₃Tm₁₁Te₁₈ have been grown as byproducts in the synthesis of CsLnZnTe₃ (Ln=Ho or Tm) through the reaction of Ln, Zn, and Te with a CsCl flux at 850 °C. The crystal structures have been determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. CsHo₃Te₅ crystallizes in space group Pnma of the orthorhombic system whereas Cs₃Tm₁₁Te₁₈ crystallizes in the space group C2/m of the monoclinic system. Each of the compounds adopts a three-dimensional structure; each possesses tunnels built from LnTe₆ octahedra that are filled with Cs atoms. The pseudo-rectangular tunnel in CsHo₃Te₅ is large enough in cross-section to accommodate two symmetrically equivalent Cs atoms. In the Cs₃Tm₁₁Te₁₈ structure there are two different sized tunnels: the smaller one is only large enough to host one Cs atom per unit cell whereas the larger one can accommodate two Cs atoms. The electronic structure of CsHo₃Te₅ was calculated. The band gap is estimated to be about 1.2 eV, consistent with the black color of the crystals.