Structural originations of irreversible capacity loss from highly lithiated copper oxides

We use electrochemistry, high-energy X-ray diffraction (XRD) with pair-distribution function analysis (PDF), and density functional theory (DFT) to study the instabilities of Li₂CuO₂ at varying state of charge. Rietveld refinement of XRD patterns revealed phase evolution from pure Li₂CuO₂ body-centered orthorhombic (Immm) space group to multiphase compositions after cycling. The PDF showed CuO₄ square chains with varying packing during electrochemical cycling. Peaks in the G(r) at the Cu-O distance for delithiated, LiCuO₂, showed CuO₄ square chains with reduced ionic radius for Cu in the 3+ state. At full depth of discharge to 1.5 V, CuO was observed in fractions greater than the initial impurity level which strongly affects the reversibility of the lithiation reactions contributing to capacity loss. DFT calculations showed electron removal from Cu and O during delithiation of Li₂CuO₂.     

Reduction and Oxidation of Simple Oxocuprates

Oxidation-reduction reactions were studied for the following oxocuprates: LiCuO, Li₂CuO₂, SrCu₂O₂, Sr₂CuO₃, SrCuO₂, BaCu₂O₂, BaCuO₂,LaCuO₂, La₂CuO₄, Ca₂CuO₃ and Bi₂CuO₄. Transformation schemes have been proposed for the anionic sub-lattices of these salts and the effect of cations on the properties of the anionic sub-lattices in oxidation-reduction reactions was determined. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Die Kristallstruktur von La2Li1/2Au1/2O4 und bindungschemische Aspekte

The Crystal and the Electronic Structure of La₂Li_1/2Au_1/2O₄ The single crystal X‐ray investigation of the compound La₂Li_1/2Au^III_1/2O₄ yields a T′‐type structure (Nd₂CuO₄) with an ordered distribution of Li^I and Au^III on the sites with square‐planar coordination (space group Ammm; a = 5.768 Å, b = 5.762 Å, c = 12.466 Å; c/a(b) = 2.165; a(Au–O) = 2.013(3) Å). Though Cu^III possesses the same low‐spin d⁸‐configuration as Au^III, La₂Li_1/2Cu_1/2O₄ adopts the ordered T‐structure with strongly elongated CuO₆ octahedra. The electronic and structural causes of the different behaviour are discussed.     

Lithium insertion compounds of LiFe5O8, Li2FeMn3O8, and Li2ZnMn3O8

Lithium insertion reactions of the lithium spinels Fe[Li_0.5Fe_1.5]O₄, Li_0.5Zn_0.5[Li_0.5Mn_1.5]O₄ and Li [Fe_0.5Mn_1.5]O₄ by n-butyl lithium or electrochemically yield Li_2.5Fe_2.5O₄, Li₂Zn_0.5Mn_1.5O₄, and Li₂ Fe_0.5Mn_1.5O₄, respectively. It is shown that the [B₂]O₄ framework of the A[B₂]O₄ spinel structure remains intact upon lithium insertion, and provides a three-dimensional interstitial pathway for Li⁺ ion diffusion. Lithium insertion is completely reversible in the normal lithium spinel LiFe_0.5Mn_1.5O₄; delithiation of Li_2.5Fe_2.5O₄ results in Li_1.5Fe_2.5O₄ and none of the inserted lithium may be removed from the mixed lithium spinel Li₂Zn_0.5Mn_1.5O₄. Physicochemical properties including electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, and Mössbauer spectra of the hosts and their lithiated analogs are discussed.     

Structure property relationships in the ATi2O4 (A=Na, Ca) family of reduced titanates

Reduced titanates in the ATi₂O₄ (A=Li, Mg) spinel family exhibit a variety of interesting electronic and magnetic properties, most notably superconductivity in the mixed-valence spinel, Li_1+xTi_2−xO₄. The sodium and calcium analogs, NaTi₂O₄ and CaTi₂O₄, each differ in structure, the main features of which are double rutile-type chains composed of edge-sharing TiO₆ octahedra. We report for the first time, the properties and band structures of these two materials. XANES spectroscopy at the Ti K-edge was used to probe the titanium valence. The absorption edge position and the pre-edge spectral features observed in the XANES data confirm the assignment of Ti³⁺ in CaTi₂O₄ and mixed-valence Ti³⁺/Ti⁴⁺ in NaTi₂O₄. Temperature-dependent resistivity and magnetic susceptibility studies are consistent with the classification of both NaTi₂O₄ and CaTi₂O₄ as small band-gap semiconductors, although changes in the high-temperature magnetic susceptibility of CaTi₂O₄ suggest a possible insulator-metal transition near 700 K. Band structure calculations agree with the observed electronic properties of these materials and indicate that while Ti-Ti bonding is of minimal importance in NaTi₂O₄, the titanium atoms in CaTi₂O₄ are weakly dimerized at room temperature.     

Synthesis,structure and stability of phases in the system Li2OPdO2

Li₂PdO₂ and Li₂PdO₃ have been synthesized. Powder X-ray data are reported for both phases. Li₂PdO₂ is body-centered orthorhombic, Immm, a = 3.74₀, b = 2.97₅, c = 9.35₄ Å. It is isostructural with Li₂CuO₂, with which it forms a complete series of solid solutions. The crystal structure of Li₂PdO₂ has been determined. it comprises sheets of tetrahedrally coordinated lithium and oxygen atoms, parallel to (001), held together by ribbons of (PdO₂)_∞ in which each palladium atom is coordinated by four oxygen atoms in a rectangular-planar arrangement.     

Electrical Resistivity, Magnetic Susceptibility, X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, and Electronic Band Structure Studies of Cu2.33−xV4O11

The electronic and physical properties of Cu_2.33V₄O₁₁ were characterized by electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements and by tight-binding electronic band structure calculations. Attempts to prepare Cu_2.33−xV₄O₁₁ outside its narrow homogeneity range led to a mixture of Cu_2.33V₄O₁₁, CuVO₃ and β-Cu_xV₂O₅. The magnetic susceptibility data show no evidence for a magnetic/structural transition around 300 K. The XPS spectra of Cu_2.33V₄O₁₁ reveal the presence of mixed valence in both Cu and V. The [Cu⁺]/[Cu²⁺] ratio is estimated to be 1.11 from the Cu 2p_3/2 peak areas, so [V⁴⁺]/[V⁵⁺]=0.56 by the charge balance. Our electronic structure calculations suggest that the oxidation state of the Cu ions is +2 in the channels of CuO₄ tetrahedra, and +1 in the channels of linear CuO₂ and trigonal planar CuO₃ units. This predicts that [Cu⁺]/[Cu²⁺]=1.33 and [V⁴⁺]/[V⁵⁺]=0.50, in good agreement with those deduced from the XPS study.     

The phase relations in the In2O3A2O3BO systems at elevated temperatures [A: Fe or Ga, B: Cu or Co]

The phase relations in the In₂O₃Fe₂O₃CuO system at 1000°C, the In₂O₃Ga₂O₃CuO system at 1000°C, the In₂O₃Fe₂O₃CoO system at 1300°C, and the In₂O₃Ga₂O₃CoO system at 1300°C were determined by means of a classical quenching method. InFeCuO₄ (a = 3.3743(4) Å, c = 24.841(5) Å), InGaCuO₄ (a = 3.3497(2) Å, c = 24.822(3) Å), and InGaCoO₄ (a = 3.3091(2) Å, c = 25.859(4) Å) having the YbFe₂O₄ crystal structure, In₂Fe₂CuO₇ (a = 3.3515(2) Å, c = 28.871(3) Å), In₂Ga₂CuO₇ (a = 3.3319(1) Å, c = 28.697(2) Å), and In₂FeGaCuO₇ (a = 3.3421(2) Å, c = 28.817(3) Å) having the Yb₂Fe₃O₇ crystal structure, and In₃Fe₃CuO₁₀ (a = 3.3432(3) Å, c = 61.806(6) Å) having the Yb₃Fe₄O₁₀ crystal structure were found as the stable ternary phases. There is a continuous series of solid solutions between InFeCoO₄ and Fe₂CoO₄ which have the spinel structure at 1300°C. The crystal chemical roles of Fe³⁺ and Ga³⁺ in the present ternary systems were qualitatively compared.     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of the new mixed-valence vanadate Na2SrV3O9

The new complex oxide Na₂SrV₃O₉ was synthesized and investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and magnetic susceptibility measurements. This oxide has a monoclinic unit cell with parameters a=5.416(1) Å, b=15.040(3) Å, c=10.051(2) Å, β=97.03(3)°, space group P2₁/c and Z=4. The crystal structure of Na₂SrV₃O₉, as determined from X-ray single-crystal data, is built up from isolated chains formed by square V⁴⁺O₅ pyramids. Neighboring pyramids are linked by two bridging V⁵⁺O₄ tetrahedra sharing a corner with each pyramid. The Na and Sr atoms are situated between the chains. Electron diffraction and HREM investigations confirmed the crystal structure. The temperature dependence of the susceptibility indicates low-dimensional magnetic behavior with a sizeable strength of the magnetic intra-chain exchange J of the order of 80 K, which is very likely due to superexchange through the two VO₄ tetrahedra linking the magnetic V⁴⁺ cations.     

Structural and magnetic properties of orthorhombic LixMnO2

Rietveld refinement of the crystal and magnetic structures of Li_xMnO₂ (x = 0.98, 1.00, 1.02) are performed using neutron and X-ray measurements. A significant structural disorder due to the presence of manganese ions in lithium positions (Mn_Li) and lithium ions in manganese ones (Li_Mn) is found to be a common feature of Li_0.98MnO₂, Li_1.00MnO₂, and Li_1.02MnO₂.An essential anisotropy of the thermal-expansion coefficients of the lithium manganese oxides is observed in the temperature range of 1.5–300 K. Furthermore, the distortion of the oxygen octahedral environment around the manganese ions decreases when the temperature lowers. This is attributed to the strong exchange interactions between parallel exchange-coupled Mn chains. First-principles calculations of the effective exchange-interaction parameters in Li₁₆Mn₁₆O₃₂ confirm the essential antiferromagnetic interactions between the chains. In addition, a hypothetical (Li₁₅Mn)Mn₁₆O₃₂ structure where a lithium atom located between the Mn double layers is replaced by a manganese atom is considered. The calculations reveal that the presence of such defects results in appearance of a ferromagnetic component that agrees with the magnetic measurements.     

Modulated Structure of the Composite Crystal Ca0.83CuO2

We have determined the crystal structure of the quasi one-dimensional cuprate Ca_0.83CuO₂, known as Ca₄Cu₅O₁₀, etc., by a superspace group approach. The compound consists of two interpenetrating subsystems of CuO₂ chains and Ca atoms. Structural parameters were refined with a superspace group of F2/m(1+α 0 γ)0s using powder X-ray and neutron diffraction data. Lattice parameters were refined to be a₁=2.8043(2) Å, b=6.3179(2) Å, c₁=10.5744(5) Å, and β₁=90.10(1)° for the [CuO₂] subsystem and a₂=3.3652(2) Å, b=6.3179(2) Å, c₂=10.5893(5) Å, and β₂=93.04(1)° for the [Ca] subsystem. Remarkable displacive modulation of the O and Ca atom sites is observed parallel to the b-axis and the c-axis, respectively. On the other hand, the Cu atom sites deviate mainly in the a direction to yield a periodic fluctuation between the nearest Cu-Cu distances. The Ca atoms suitably sit in the center of the modulated O₆ octahedra.     

Li+ ion conductivity in the system Li4SiO4Li3VO4

Two ranges of solid solutions were prepared in the system Li₄SiO₄Li₃VO₄: Li_4?xSi_1?xV_xO₄, 0 < x ? 0.37 with the Li₄SiO₄ structure and Li_3+yV_1?ySi_yO₄, 0.18 ? y ? 0.53 with a γ structure. The conductivity of both solid solutions is much higher than that of the end members and passes through a maximum at ～40Li₄SiO₄ · 60Li₃VO₄ with values of ～1 × 10^?5 ohm^?1 cm^?1 at 20°C, rising to ～4 × 10^?2 ohm^?1 cm^?1 at 300°C. These conductivities are several times higher than in the corresponding Li₄SiO₄Li₃(P,As)O₄ systems, especially at room temperature. The solid solutions are easy to prepare, are stable in air, and maintain their conductivity with time. The mechanism of conduction is discussed in terms of the random-walk equation for conductivity and the significance of the term c(1 ? c) in the preexponential factor is assessed. Data for the three systems Li₄SiO₄Li₃YO₄ (Y = P, As. V) are compared.     

The structure of Li3.4Si0.7S0.3O4 by powder neutron diffraction

The structure of Li_4?2xSi_1?xS_xO₄ (x ≈ 0.32) has been determined from neutron powder diffraction studies at room temperature, 350, and 700°C. This compound, which is a member of the series of ionic-conducting solid solutions formed between Li₄SiO₄ and Li₂SO₄, is isostructural with Li₃PO₄. The space group is Pmnb, with a = 6.1701(1), b = 10.6550(2), c = 5.0175(1)Å at room temperature. The distribution of lithium ions suggests the occurrence of a defect cluster in which the inclusion of an interstitial lithium ion causes displacements of the adjacent lithium ions of the normal Li₃PO₄ structure. There appears to be little variation of the structure with temperature.     

Magnetic structures of the M2TbF6 (M=Li, K, Rb) fluorides: A complex behavior resulting from frustration

Neutron powder diffraction has been performed on Li₂TbF₆, K₂TbF₆ and Rb₂TbF₆ fluoroterbates. Incommensurate long-range magnetic order is observed below T_N=2.02, 1.60 and 2.07 K. The square-modulating of the magnetic structures can be correlated with the geometric frustration induced by the pseudo-hexagonal packing of the [TbF₆]²⁻ chains in these hexafluorides. This frustration and the magnetic interactions are discussed on the basis of experimental data and topological considerations. The magnetic structures encountered in this series, and the particular thermal evolution of the Li₂TbF₆ magnetic structure may result from the competition between the magnetic interactions taking place in the chains and the magnetic interactions coupling the chains.     

Ionic conductivity and crystal chemistry of ramsdellite type compounds,Li2+x(LixMg1−xSn3)O8, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5 and Li2Mg1−xFe2xSn3−xO8, 0 ≤ x ≤ 1

Solid solution phases Li_2+x(Li_xMg_1−xSn₃)O₈: 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5 and Li₂Mg_1−xFe_2xSn_3−xO₈: 0 ≤ x ≤ 1, both with ramsdellite type structure, have been synthesized by solid state reaction at 1773 and 1523 K, respectively. The relationship of the ramsdellite structure to the recently illustrated, tetragonal-packed structure is given. The Li_2+x(Li_xMg_1−xSn₃)O₈ solid solutions exhibit conductivities 4 × 10⁻⁶–5 × 10⁻⁴ (Ω cm)⁻¹ at 573 K and corresponding activation energies, 0.93−0.74 eV. The highest conductivity was observed for Li_2.3(Li_0.3Mg_0.7Sn₃)O₈, x = 0.3. In the solid solution series Li₂Mg_1−xFe_2xSn_3−xO₈, the highest conductivity was exhibited by Li₂Fe₂Sn₂O₈, 2 × 10⁻⁵ (Ω cm)⁻¹ at 573 K.     

Accurate Determination of the Electronic Structure Parameters of the Spin Ladder Compounds SrCu2O3, Sr2Cu3O5 and CaCu2O3

Ab initio embedded cluster calculations have been employed to calculate a large number of electronic structure parameters of three different spin ladders, namely SrCu₂O₃, CaCu₂O₃ and Sr₂Cu₃O₅. Using the iterative difference dedicated configuration interaction methodology, magnetic couplings J and hopping amplitudes t are determined for first to fourth nearest neighbors. In addition, the four-body cyclic exchange J _ring is extracted and the direct exchange K, the neutral-ionic hopping integral t ₀ and the on-site repulsion U are calculated for first and second nearest neighbor copper ions. The substitution of these parameters in the pertubative superexchange relation J=2K−4t ₀²/U yields magnetic coupling parameters in close agreement with the variational estimates. The spin ladders can be considered as an interpolation between the one-dimensional (1D) spin chains and the 2D antiferromagnets. Hence, results are compared with similar parameters in the spin chain Sr₂CuO₃ and the two-dimensional antiferromagnet La₂CuO₄.     

Low-dimensional Magnetism and Antiferromagnetic Ordering in the Mixed-valence Spin-chain Cuprate TlCu2O2

TlCu₂O₂, a mixed-valence spin-chain cuprate, was synthesized in a piston cylinder system starting from thallium sesquioxide Tl₂O₃, cuprous oxide Cu₂O and copper powder. The main structural characteristics are edge-sharing (CuO₂)_n zigzag chains, which are linked in the perpendicular crystallographic direction by Cu⁺ to form a three-dimensional network. Data from magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements show features typical for low-dimensional magnetic exchange interactions. The long-range antiferromagnetic ordering is observed at T_N = 19.7 K. No weak ferromagnetic component can be detected, suggesting a plain Néel-type spin-ordered structure.     

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of Cu3(TeO3)2Br2—a layered compound with a new Cu(II) coordination polyhedron

The new compound Cu₃(TeO₃)₂Br₂ crystallizes in the monoclinic spacegroup C2/m. The unit cell parameters are a=9.3186(18)Å, b=6.2781(9)Å, c=8.1999(16)Å, β=107.39(2)°, Z=2. The structure is solved from single crystal data, R₁=0.021. The new compound shows a layered structure where only weak van der Waals interactions connect the layers. There are two crystallographically different Cu(II) atoms; one having a square planar [CuO₄] coordination and one showing an unusual [CuO₄Br] trigonal bi-pyramidal coordination, the Br-ion is located in the equatorial plane. The Te(IV) atom has a tetrahedral [TeO₃E] coordination where E is the 5s² lone-pair. Within the layers the Cu-polyhedra are connected by corner- and edge sharing to form chains. The chains are separated by the Te atoms. The magnetic properties are dominated by long range magnetic ordering at . Evidence for a coexistence of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions exists.     

Structural Stability of LiCoO2 at 400°C

The relative stability of the lithiated-spinel structure, Li₂[Co₂]O₄, at 400°C to the layered LiCoO₂ structure has been investigated. “Low-temperature” LT-LiCoO₂ samples were synthesized at 400°C by the solid-state reaction of Li₂CO₃ with CoCO₃ (or Co₃O₄) for various times between 10 min and 232 days. Least-squares refinements of X-ray powder diffraction patterns were used to determine the fractions of lithiated-spinel Li₂[Co₂]O₄ and layered LiCoO₂ in the samples. X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscope data show that Li₂[Co₂]O₄ nucleates from an intermediate Li_xCo_1−x[Co₂]O₄ spinel product before transforming very slowly to layered LiCoO₂. The experimental data confirm the theoretical prediction that layered LiCoO₂ is thermodynamically more stable than the lithiated-spinel structure at 400°C and support the arguments that a non-ideal cation distribution in Li₂[Co₂]O₄, non-stoichiometry and kinetic factors restrict the transformation of the lithiated-spinel structure to layered LiCoO₂ at this temperature.