Structural characterization for the chemically Li ion extracted LiyCoO2, LiyCo0.95Ga0.05O2, and LiyCo0.9Ga0.1O2 compounds

Chemical Li ion extraction processes have been carried out for pristine LiCoO₂, LiCo_0.95Ga_0.05O₂, and LiCo_0.9Ga_0.1O₂ compounds by swirling them in 0.35 M H₂SO₄ solution. It is confirmed from XRD patterns that the compounds maintain the two-dimensional framework with pristine-type structure even after the acid treatment up to 12 h. The Ga-substituted compounds keep Li ions for longer time on the acid treatment rather than the LiCoO₂. The average oxidation state of Co ions increases with the Li⁺ ion extraction time up to 3.45+. The local structure refinements for the chemically Li⁺ ion extracted compounds have been investigated by Co K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The extraction causes the increase of Debye-Waller (DW) factor or static disorder around the Co ion. The DW factor of the Co-Co bond pair less increases with the extraction time for the Li_yCo_0.95Ga_0.05O₂, and Li_yCo_0.9Ga_0.1O₂ compounds than that for the LiCoO₂. The Ga-substituted compounds are more stable against acid treatments than the LiCoO₂, since more basic Ga³⁺ ion retards the structural distortion of the CoO₆ octahedra against the Li ion extraction.