Identifying the Structural Evolution of the Sodium Ion Battery Na2FePO4F Cathode

Na₂FePO₄F is a promising cathode material for Na‐ion batteries owing to its relatively high discharge voltage and excellent cycling performance. Now, the long‐ and short‐range structural evolution of Na₂FePO₄F during cycling is studied by in situ high‐energy X‐ray diffraction (XRD), ex situ solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and first‐principles DFT calculations. DFT calculations suggest that the intermediate phase, Na_1.5FePO₄F, adopts the space group of P2₁/c, which is a subgroup (P2₁/b11, No. 14) of Pbcn (No. 60), the space group of the starting phase, Na₂FePO₄F, and this space group provides a good fit to the experimental XRD and NMR results. The two crystallographically unique Na sites in the structure of Na₂FePO₄F behave differently during cycling, where the Na ions on the Na2 site are electrochemically active while those on the Na1 site are inert. This study determines the structural evolution and the electrochemical reaction mechanisms of Na₂FePO₄F in a Na‐ion battery.     

Synthesis and electrode performance of carbon coated Na2FePO4F for rechargeable Na batteries

Carbon-coated Na₂FePO₄F is synthesized by a simple solid-state method with ascorbic acid as carbon source. Structural characterization of Na₂FePO₄F by synchrotron X-ray diffraction, scanning/transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy reveals that ascorbic acid effectively suppresses the particle growth of Na₂FePO₄F, forming the nano-sized carbon coated materials. Electrode performance of Na₂FePO₄F for rechargeable sodium batteries is also examined. The carbon-coated Na₂FePO₄F sample (1.3 wt% carbon) delivers initial discharge capacity of 110 mAh g^-1 at a rate of 1/20 C (6.2 mA g^-1) with well-defined voltage plateaus at 3.06 and 2.91 V vs. Na metal. The sample also shows acceptable capacity retention and rate capability as the positive electrode materials for rechargeable Na batteries, which is operable at room temperature.     

Na2FePO4F/Biocarbon Nanocomposite Hollow Microspheres Derived from Biological Cell Template as High-Performance Cathode Material for Sodium-Ion Batteries

We have successfully synthesized Na₂FePO₄F/biocarbon nanocomposite hollow microspheres from Fe^III precursor as cathodes for sodium-ion batteries through self-assembly of yeast cell biotemplate and sol-gel technology. The carbon coating on the nanoparticle surface with a mesoporous structure enhances electron diffusion into Na₂FePO₄F crystal particles. The improved electrochemical performance of Na₂FePO₄F/biocarbon nanocomposites is attributed to the larger electrode−electrolyte contact area and more active sites for Na⁺ on the surface of hollow microspheres compared with those of Na₂FePO₄F/C. The Na₂FePO₄F/biocarbon nanocomposite exhibits a high initial discharge capacity of 114.3 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 C, long-cycle stability with a capacity retention of 74.3 % after 500 cycles at 5 C, and excellent rate capability (70.2 mAh g⁻¹ at 5 C) compared with Na₂FePO₄F/C. This novel nanocomposite hollow microsphere structure is suitable for improving the property of other cathode materials for high-power batteries.     

Spray-drying as a tool to disperse conductive carbon inside Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>FePO<Subscript>4</Subscript>F particles by addition of carbon black or carbon nanotubes to the precursor solution

In this work, Na₂FePO₄F-carbon composite powders were prepared by spray-drying a solution of inorganic precursors with 10 and 20 wt% added carbon black (CB) or carbon nanotubes (CNTs). In order to compare the effect of CB and CNT when added to the precursor solutions, the structural, electrochemical, and morphological properties of the synthesized Na₂FePO₄F-xCB and Na₂FePO₄F-xCNT samples were systematically investigated. In both cases, X-ray diffraction shows that calcination at 600 °C in argon leads to the formation of Na₂FePO₄F as the major inorganic phase. ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy was used as complementary technique to probe the oxidation states, local environment, and identify the composition of the iron-containing phases. The electrochemical performance is markedly better in the case of Na₂FePO₄F-CNT (20 wt%), with specific capacities of about 100 mAh/g (Na₂FePO₄F-CNT) at C/4 rate vs. 50 mAh/g for Na₂FePO₄F-CB (20 wt%). SEM characterization of Na₂FePO₄F-CB particles revealed different particle morphologies for the Na₂FePO₄F-CNT and Na₂FePO₄F-CB powders. The carbon-poor surface observed for Na₂FePO₄F-CB could be due to a slow diffusion of carbon in the droplets during drying. On the contrary, Na₂FePO₄F-CNT shows a better CNT dispersion inside and at the surface of the NFPF particles that improves the electrochemical performance.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Properties of the Sodium Molybdate Fluoride Na3MoO4F

The compound Na₃MoO₄F was synthesized by high temperature solution methods. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals that Na₃MoO₄F crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (No. 62) with lattice constants a = 5.588(2) Å, b = 7.515(3) Å, c = 12.876(5) Å, and Z = 4. The crystal structure consists of isolated MoO₄ groups and [FNa₃]_∞ chains, which are connected by Na–O bonds to form a three‐dimensional framework. A detailed structure comparison between Na₃MoO₄F and NaMoO₃F was carried out. IR spectroscopy and bond valence sum analysis of Na₃MoO₄F indicate that the structure is reasonable. In addition, the electronic structure was investigated by the first‐principles method.     

Diffusion process of sodium ions in the transition of the bronze-type sodium titanium dioxide

Sodium-ordered Na_xTiO₂ is transformed into its disordered form by way of a new ordered form. All forms have the same crystal structure framework and monoclinic symmetry. When a, b, and c represent the lattice vectors of C-centered unit cells in the disordered form, the starting ordered form has a C-centered lattice of 2a, 4b, and c, and the new ordered form has a primitive lattice of a, b, and c. Sodium ions make one-dimensional diffusion along the b axis in the first phase change and two-dimensional diffusion parallel to the ab plane in the subsequent transformation. Two stages of diffusion correspond to two kinds of interstitial paths in the framework. Crystallites of the starting ordered arrangement are often divided into many domains with respect to the sodium arrangement. The present diffusion mechanism suggests that the initial arrangement changes directly into the final disordered one in the vicinity of domain boundaries.     

Die Kristallstruktur eines polynuclearen Silber-Platin-Mercaptophosphin-Komplexes

Crystals of Pt(S–CH₂-Ch₂-P(C₂H₅)₂)₂AgNO₃ are orthorhombic, a = 14.814, b = 10.926, c = 12.298 Å, space group Pbon, Z = 4. The structure has been solved by FOURIER methods and refined by full-matrix least-squares analysis of three dimensional intensity data, measured on the HILGER & WATTS computer-controlled 4-circle diffractometer. The structure consists of infinite chains running along the c-axis; each silver atom is coordinated almost linearly to two sulphur atoms belonging to the square-planar coordination spheres of two different platinum atoms.     

Dipotassium Sodium Diantimonidoindate,K2Na[InSb2], a compound with the polyanion [In2Sb2Sb4/2]6−

The novel compound K₂Na[InSb₂] was synthesized from the elements at 900 K in sealed niobium ampoules. The compound forms plate-like crystals with silver metallic luster, which are very unstable in air and moisture. The crystal structure of K₂NaInSb₂ has been determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods (space group Cmca (No. 64); a = 14.032(2), b = 16.399(3), c = 7.009(1) Å; Z = 8; Pearson symbol oC48). The structure contains pairs of edge-sharing InSb₄ tetrahedra which are linked to four other pairs via common vertices and form a two-dimensional [In₂Sb₂Sb_4/2]^6? anionic partial structure. The resulting pairs of tetrahedral holes are filled by Na⁺ cations. These [In₂Sb₂Sb_4/2]^6? layers are stacked along the b-axis and are interconnected by K⁺ cations. The whole structure can be considered as an ordered derivative of the KMnP structure (PbFCl type).     

Magnetic structure and properties of Cu3(OH)4SO4 made of triple chains of spins s=1/2

Cu₃(OH)₄SO₄, obtained by hydrothermal synthesis from copper sulfate and soda in aqueous medium, is isostructural with the corresponding antlerite mineral, orthorhombic, space group Pnma (62), with a=8.289(1) b=6.079(1) and c=12.057(1) Å, V=607.5(2) ų, Z=4. Its crystalline structure has been refined from X-ray single crystal and powder neutron diffraction data at room temperature. It consists of copper (II) triple chains, running in the b-axis direction and connected to each other by sulfate groups. The magnetic structure, solved from powder neutron diffraction data at 1.4 K below the transition at 5 K evidenced by susceptibility and specific measurements, reveals that, inside a triple chain, the magnetic moments of the copper ions (μ_B=0.88(5) at 1.4 K) belonging to outer chains are oriented along the c-axis of the nuclear cell, with ferromagnetic order inside a chain and antiferromagnetic order between the two outer chains. No long-range magnetic order is obtained along the central chain with an idle spin behavior.     

Synthesis and Ion Selectivity of Tetrakis[(N,N-dialkylaminocarbonyl) methoxy]homocalix[4]arenes

An attempted O-alkylation of the flexible macrocycle 1 withN,N-dialkylchloroacetamides in the presence of NaH, K₂CO₃ or Cs₂CO₃ gave only one pure stereoisomer 1,4-alternate-2a–c, while other possible isomers were not observed. In contrast, only an intractable mixture was obtained when Na₂CO₃ was used as base. The structural characterization of these products is discussed. The two-phase solvent extraction data indicated that tetrakis(N,N-dialkylaminocarbonyl) derivatives 2b–c show strong alkali metal cation affinity and the extractabilities are much higher than that for the corresponding calix[4]arene tetraethyl ester 4 and homocalix[4]arene tetraethyl ester 3. High Li⁺ and Na⁺ extractabilities were observed for tetrakis[(N,N-diethylaminocarbonyl) derivative 2b. However, no significant high ion selectivity for alkali metal cations was observed in tetraamide 2b. ¹H-NMR titration of tetraamide 2b with KSCN clearly demonstrates that a 1:1 complex is formed with retention of theoriginal symmetry to be conformationally frozen on the NMR time scale.     

Synthesis, structure characterization and fluorescence property of a new fluoride borate crystal, CdZn2KB2O6F

A new fluoride borate crystal, CdZn₂KB₂O₆F, has been synthesized by flux-supported solid-state reaction. The crystal structure has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the trigonal space group with a=5.0381(6) Å, b=5.0381(6) Å, c=15.1550(19) Å, α=90.00°, β=90.00°, γ=120.00°, Z=2. The crystal represents a new structure type in which ZnBO₃ layers are connected through bridging fluorine and cadmium atoms alternately along the c-axis. K⁺ cations are filled in the intralayer open channels to balance charge. IR and Raman spectra further confirm the crystal structure. Photoluminescent measurement reveals that CdZn₂KB₂O₆F exhibits blue fluorescence at room temperature in the solid-state.     

Preparation and Investigation on Lattice Distortion and Electrochemical Performances of Li0.95Na0.05FePO4/C

Na⁺ doped sample Li_0.95Na_0.05FePO₄/C was prepared through solid state method. Structure characterization shows Na⁺ is successfully introduced into the LiFePO₄ matrix. Scanning electron microscopy shows the particle size mainly ranges in 1～3 μm. X-ray diffraction Rietveld refinement demonstrates lattice distortion with an increased cell volume. As one cathode material, it has a discharge capacity of 150 mAh/g at 0.1 C rate. The material exhibits a capacity of 109 and 107 mAh/g at 5 and 7.5 C respectively. When cycled at 1 and 5 C, the material retains 84% (after 1000 cycles) and 86% (after 350 cycles) of the initial discharge capacity respectively indicating excellent structure stability and cycling perfor-mance. Na⁺doping enhances the electrochemical activity especially the cycle performance effectively.     

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Two Sodium Ruthenates: Na2RuO4 and Na2RuO3

Na₂RuO₄, prepared from Na₂O₂ and RuO₂ via high oxygen pressure synthesis, crystallises monoclinic in space group P2₁/c (a = 10.721(6), b = 7.033(4), c = 10.871(6) Å, β = 119.10(4)°, Z = 8, 2503 unique reflections, R₁ = 0.049). Structure determination from single crystal data shows that the compound consists of infinite chains of RuO₅ trigonal bipyramids connected through their axial vertices. The Na cations connect the pseudohexagonally packed equation/tex2gif-stack-1.gif[RuO₃O_2/2] chains and are coordinated by six or seven oxygen atoms, respectively. The compound exhibits an one‐dimensional spin system with μ = 2.80 μ_B and Θ = —222 K and a three‐dimensional antiferromagnetic ordering below 50 K. Na₂RuO₃ was obtained from Na₂RuO₄ at 850 °C under a flow of argon. The structure was determined from X‐ray powder diffraction. It is closely related to the α‐NaFeO₂ and the Li₂SnO₃ structure types, layered variants of the NaCl type. In Na₂RuO₃ the Na and Ru atoms are partially disordered. This partially disordered state was approximated by a Rietveld refinement of two superimposed structural models (model I: R 3¯ m, a = 3.12360(5), c = 16.0370(4) Å, Z = 2; model II: C2/c, a = 5.4141(4), b = 9.3663(6), c = 10.8481(4) Å, β = 99.636(9)°, Z = 8).     

溶胶-凝胶法合成Li_(1-x)Na_xMn_2O_4及其作为水系锂离子电池正极材料的电化学性能

用溶胶凝胶法合成了Na+离子掺杂的Li_(1-x)Na_xMn_2O_4(x=0,0.01,0.03,0.05)。X射线衍射图表明Na+取代Li+进入Li_(1-x)Na_xMn_2O_4晶格中,扫描电镜图看出产物是粒径为100~300 nm的颗粒。恒流充放电测试结果表明,Li_(0.97)Na_(0.03)Mn_2O_4在2C倍率下循环100圈后放电容量保持率比未掺杂的LiMn_2O_4从51.2%提升到84.1%。循环伏安测试表明Na+离子掺杂降低了材料极化且增大了锂离子扩散系数。10C倍率下Li0.97Na0.03Mn2O4仍有79.0 m Ah·g-1的放电容量,高于未掺杂样品的52.1 m Ah·g~(-1)。Na+离子掺杂可以稳定材料结构并提高锂离子扩散系数,从而提高LiMn_2O_4的电化学性能,是一种可行的改性方法。     

溶胶-凝胶法合成Li1-xNaxMn2O4及其作为水系锂离子电池正极材料的电化学性能

用溶胶凝胶法合成了Na⁺离子掺杂的Li_1-xNa_xMn₂O₄(x=0,0.01,0.03,0.05)。X射线衍射图表明Na⁺取代Li⁺进入Li_1-xNa_x Mn₂O₄晶格中,扫描电镜图看出产物是粒径为100~300 nm的颗粒。恒流充放电测试结果表明,Li_0.97Na_0.03Mn₂O₄在2C倍率下循环100圈后放电容量保持率比未掺杂的LiMn₂O₄从51.2%提升到84.1%。循环伏安测试表明Na⁺离子掺杂降低了材料极化且增大了锂离子扩散系数。10C倍率下Li_0.97Na_0.03Mn₂O₄仍有79.0 mAh·g^-1的放电容量,高于未掺杂样品的52.1 mAh·g^-1。Na⁺离子掺杂可以稳定材料结构并提高锂离子扩散系数,从而提高LiMn₂O₄的电化学性能,是一种可行的改性方法。     

NASICON型Na4FeV(PO4)3的合成、晶体结构和电化学性能

采用高温熔盐法制备了NASICON型Na_4Fe V(PO_4)_3单晶。单晶X射线衍射数据分析表明,Na_4Fe V(PO_4)_3属于六方R3c空间群,单胞参数为a=b=0.878 17(4) nm,c=2.170 1(2) nm,Z=6,V=1.449 31(18) nm~3。该磷酸盐属于典型的NASICON结构,由PO_4四面体和Fe/VO_6八面体共顶点组成三维框架结构,提供多维的Na~+传输通道,2种不同类型Na~+位于框架的间隙。以Na_4Fe V(PO_4)_3/C粉末样品作为钠电池正极材料并以金属钠为对电极制备电池时,电化学测试结果表明其具有较高的容量。     

Molecular and Crystal Structure of Magnolol—C18H18O2

Magnolol, 2, 2′-dihydroxy-5, 5′-diallylbiphenyl (C₁₈H₁₈O₂) was isolated from the heartwood of Taiwan sassafras, Sassafras randaiense (Hay.) Rehd. (Lauraceae) and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. It crystallized in monoclinic P 2₁/C. The cell parameters are a=10.905(3), b=8.834(4), c=16.103(9) Å, β=106.76°(3), z=4. The structure was solved by direct method. The dihedral angle between two benzene rings is about 45′ which seems to be the best arrangement for intra- and inter-molecular H-bondings. O … O distances are ～2.6 Å which indicate very strong H-bonding. The solid structure can be discribed as a helix chain of molecules connected through H-bonds parallel to b-axis.     

Die Kristallstruktur des N,N-Dijodformamids HCONJ2

The crystal structure of N,N-Diiodoformamide, HCONI₂, has been determined from three-dimensional diffractometer data and refined to a conventionalR-value of 4.1%. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group Pn 2₁a,Z=4, with the unit cell parametersa=10.758,b=7.075,c=6.671 Å. The molecules are connected by intermolecular I?O-bonds forming chains along thea-axis. Between the chains exist weaker I?O-contacts which link the chains to form layers perpendieular to theb-axis.     

Refinement of Phase Formation in the Na2MoO4-Hf(MoO4)2 System. Crystal Structure of the New Binary Molybdate Na8Hf(MoO4)6

Phase equilibria in the subsolidus region of the Na₂MoO₄-Hf(MoO₄)₂ system have been investigated. The existence of Na₂Hf(MoO₄)₃ was confirmed, and a new binary molybdate, Na₈Hf(MoO₄)₆, has been found, whose crystal structure with dimensions a = 20.661(3) Å, b = 9.816(1) Å, c = 13.796(3) Å, β = 113.47(1)°, Z = 4, space group C2/_c, _R = 0.023 is similar to that of K₈Hf(MoO₄)₆. In the structure, each HfO₆ octahedron is linked (through common vertices) to six MoO₄ tetrahedra, forming [Hf(MoO₄)₆]⁸⁻ cluster groups. Between the groups are Na⁺ ions having considerably distorted tetragonal pyramidal or octahedral oxygen surroundings; c.n. of sodium here is 5 or 6 versus c.n. = 7–9 of potassium in K₈Hf(MoO₄)₆. The open irregular environment of sodium and the continuous three-dimensional openwork of oxygen polyhedra around sodium suggest that Na₈Hf(MoO₄)₆ or its analogs may be good ion conductors.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by S. F. Solodovnikov, B. G. Bazarov, L. V. Balsanova, Z. A. Solodovnikova, and Zh. G. Bazarova__________Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 45, No. 6, pp. 1044–1048, November–December, 2004.     

Crystal structure, magnetic properties and conductivity of CuSbTeO3Cl2

CuSbTeO₃Cl₂ has been isolated during an investigation of the system Cu₂O:TeCl₄:Sb₂O₃:TeO₂. The new compound is light yellow and crystallises in the monoclinic system, space group C2/m, a=20.333(5) Å, b=4.0667(9) Å, c=10.778(2) Å, Z=6. The structure is layered and is built up from corner and edge sharing [(Sb,Te)O₄E] trigonal bipyramids that have the lone pair (E) directed towards one of the equatorial positions, those groups build up [(Sb,Te)₂O₃E₂⁺]_n layers. The copper and the chlorine atoms are located in between those layers. There are two different Cu positions. The [Cu1Cl₄] group is a slightly distorted tetrahedron and these tetrahedra make up chains by corner sharing. The electron density for the half occupied Cu2 atom is spread out in the structure like a worm that run along the b-axis in the space in between two chains of [Cu1Cl₄] tetrahedrons. Analysis of the diamagnetic response in magnetic susceptibility measurements is in perfect agreement with a Cu⁺ valence. Conductivity measurements in the temperature range 355–590 K gives an activation energy of 0.55 eV. The delocalised Cu2 position in the structure suggests that the compound is a Cu⁺ ionic conductor along the b-axis.