Secondary-Phase Formation in Spinel-Type LiMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Cathode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries: Quantifying Trace Amounts of Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript> by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Spinel-type lithium manganese oxides are considered as promising cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Trace amounts of Li₂MnO₃ usually occur as a secondary phase in lithium-manganese spinels in the common high-temperature, solid-state synthesis, affecting the overall Li–Mn stoichiometry in the spinel phase and thereby the electrochemical performance. However, the formation of Li₂MnO₃ lower than 1 wt.% can hardly be quantified by the conventional analytical techniques. In this work, we synthesized lithium-manganese spinels with different Li/Mn molar ratios and demonstrate that electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) enables quantifying trace amounts of Li₂MnO₃ below 10^?2 wt.% in the synthesized products. The results reveal that the formation of Li₂MnO₃ secondary phase is favored by lithium excess in the synthesis. Based on the quantitative evaluation of the EPR data, precise determining Li–Mn stoichiometry in the spinel phase in Li_1+xMn_2?xO₄ materials can be assessed. Accordingly, it is possible to estimate the amount of lithium on 16d-sites in the Li-rich manganese spinels.     

Interaction of Li<Subscript>1+<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>(Ni,Mn,Co)O<Subscript>2</Subscript> cathode materials with single and complex oxides at 900 °C

In order to find efficient barrier materials and inert dopants for the high temperature processing of Li-ion battery cathode materials, a chemical stability of Li_1+x (Ni,Mn)O₂ at 900 °C in air in contact with Al₂O₃, Nb₂O₅, SnO₂, TiO₂, and CeO₂ is studied. The interaction of Li_1+x (Ni,Mn)O₂ with Al₂O₃, Nb₂O₅, and SnO₂ results in the formation of the corresponding complex oxides—LiAlO₂, Li₃NbO₄, and Li₂SnO₃. A first stage of the chemical degradation of Li_1+x (Ni,Mn)O₂ is usually accompanied by the transformation of its hexagonal crystal structure into the cubic one. The reaction of Li_1+x (Ni,Mn)O₂ with titania is accompanied by the disappearance of TiO₂ and the formation of the Li_1+x (Ni,Mn)O₂-based solid solution. XRD analysis confirmed the absence of chemical interaction of Li_1+x (Ni,Mn)O₂ with CeO₂ while SEM data demonstrated the absence of eutectic melting at 900 °C. The similar absence of traces of the high temperature chemical interaction with Li_1+x (Ni,Mn)O₂ is found also for LiAlO₂, Li₃NbO₄, and Li₂SnO₃. Galvanostatic and cyclic voltammetry studies of Li_1+x (Ni,Mn,Co)O₂–CeO₂ composites demonstrated the increase in the initial discharge capacity of the composite cathodes compared to the native Li_1+x (Ni_,Mn_,Co)O₂.     

石墨/Li（Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3）O2电池充放电过程中电极材料的XRD研究

利用XRD系统地研究了石墨/Li（Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3）O₂ 18650型锂离子电池充放电过程中正负极活性材料的晶体结构和微结构的变化.已观测到,由于Li原子的脱嵌,使得LiMO₂点阵参数a缩小,c增大,微应变增大,衍射强度比I₁₀₄/I₁₀₁和I₀₁₂/I₁₀₁降低;此外,由于Li原子的嵌入,2H-石墨的点阵参数a和c,以及微应变ε和堆垛无序度P都增加.同时,讨论了活性材料Li（Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3）O₂和石墨在电池充放电过程中的嵌脱锂的物理机理.在充电时,正极Li（Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3）O₂中处于（000）位的Li原子优先脱离晶体点阵,继后才是位于（2/3 1/3 1/3）和（1/3 2/3 2/3）位的Li原子离开点阵.锂嵌入石墨,优先进入碳原子六方网格面间的间隙位置,当负极的堆垛无序度达到一定值后,3R相逐渐析出.当电池满充或过充时,在六方石墨中形成LiC₁₂和LiC₆相.放电时,与上述过程相反,但并非是完全可逆的. 关键词： 锂离子电池 微结构 X射线衍射 嵌脱锂物理机理     

Polaron states and migration in F-doped Li2MnO3

Li₂MnO₃ compound is one essential component of the Li-rich solid solution cathode material (mLi₂MnO₃⋅nLiMO₂, M = Mn, Ni, Co, etc.) for lithium ion batteries. The intrinsic insulating nature of the electronic structure determines that the electronic conductivity of the Li₂MnO₃ compound is low, which is unfavorable to the fast charge/discharge performance of the battery. In this paper, we demonstrate that F doping can create polaron states in the Li₂MnO₃ lattice from first principles calculations. The small polaron migration energy barrier in the Li₂MnO₃ lattice is about 0.27 eV. It is also observed that the polaron state is strongly trapped by the F atom, which decreases the efficiency of the doping enhanced electronic conductivity.     

One-step synthesis and electrochemical behavior of LiMnO2 and its composite from MnO2 in the presence of glucose

LiMnO₂ and 0.23Li₂MnO₃·0.77LiMnO₂ were prepared by a convenient one-step solid-state reaction from MnO₂ using glucose as organic carbon resource. The crystal structure and morphology of the as-prepared materials was examined by X-ray powder diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The ration of Li to Mn was determined by means of atomic absorption spectrometry and the Li/Mn molar ratio in the products was 1.23. The electrochemical properties were investigated by charge-discharge test and electrochemical impedance measurements. The prepared composite material presented an initial discharge capacity of 45 mAh g^-1 and a good cycling performance with reversible capacity of 218 mAh g^-1 after 30 cycles. On the basis of the experimental results, the discharge efficiency of this composite material more than 100% was also discussed.     

Electrochemical behavior of Li intercalation processes into a Li[NixLi(1/3−2x/3)Mn(2/3−x/3)]O2 cathode

Li[Ni_xLi_(1/3−2x/3)Mn_(2/3−x/3)]O₂ (X=0.17, 0.25, 0.33, 0.5) compounds are prepared by a simple combustion method. The Rietvelt analysis shows that these compounds could be classified as having the α-NaFeO₂ structure. The initial charge-discharge and irreversible capacity increases with the decrease of x in Li[Ni_xLi_(1/3−2x/3)Mn_(2/3−x/3)]O₂. Indeed, Li[Ni_0.50Mn_0.50]O₂ compound shows relatively low initial discharge capacity of 200 mAh/g and large capacity loss during cycling, with Li[Ni_0.17Li_0.22Mn_0.61]O₂ and Li[Ni_0.25Li_0.17Mn₀.₅₈]O₂ compounds exhibit high initial discharge capacity over 245 mAh/g and stable cycle performance in the voltage range of 4.8 -2.0 V. On the other hand, XANES analysis shows that the oxidation state of Ni ion reversibly changes between Ni²⁺ and about Ni³⁺, while the oxidation state of Mn ion sustains Mn⁴⁺ during charge-discharge process. This result does not agree with the previously reported ‘electrochemistry model’ of Li[Ni_xLi_(1/3−2x/3)Mn_(2/3−x/3)]O₂, in which Ni ion changes between Ni²⁺ and NI⁴⁺. Based on these results, we modified oxidation-state change of Mn and Ni ion during charge-discharge process.     

Influence of cobalt ions on the electrochemical properties of lamellar manganese oxides

Evaluation of Co-doping on the electrochemical properties of the sol-gel birnessite and the new lithiated manganese oxide Li_0.45MnO_2+δ is reported. For both compounds the synthesis of Co-doped materials via a solution technique is described. We demonstrate the interest of Co-doped structures with the selected content of 0.15 Co per mole of oxide as the optimum composition. In the case of Li_0.45Mn_1−yCo_yO_2+δ. prepared at 300 °C, a mixture of a lamellar phase and a cubic one is identified while the Co-doped birnessite appears as a single phase. A probable substitution of Mn by Co ions explains the better specific capacity of 185 mAh/g found and the excellent stability observed over 40 cycles in the voltage range 4.2−2.0 V. Paper presented at the 7th Euroconference on Ionics, Calcatoggio, Corsica, France, Oct. 1–7, 2000.     

Hydrothermal synthesis of spinel Li1+x Mn2O4 as cathode material for rechargeable lithium battery

Abstract

The hydrothermal synthesis of Li-Mn spinel oxide (Li_1+xMn₂O₄) was undertaken in order to develop high quality, low cost cathode material for a rechargeable lithium battery. In our experiments, γ-MnOOH, LiOH · H₂O and H₂O₂ were used as starting materials to synthesize Li-Mn spinel oxide under hydrothermal conditions of 180-230°C and about 1.0-2.8 MPa. The chemical composition and particle size of the Li_1+xMn₂O₄ is easily controlled in the hydrothermal reaction. The Li_1+xMn₂O₄ produced was characterized by X-ray diffraction, with the spinel phase having a Li/Mn ratio of 0.50-0.60. There is convincing evidence, as a result of this work, that our synthesis process is most suitable for producing high quality cathode material that can be used in a rechargeable lithium battery.     

Synthesis and characterization of oxide cathode materials of the system (1-x-y)LiNiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>·xLi<Subscript>2</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>·yLiCoO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Composite cathode materials produced by integrating isostructural (2D-layered) compounds LiNiO₂, LiCoO₂, and Li₂MnO₃ (Li(Li_1/3Mn_2/3)O₂) have been investigated utilizing a compositional phase diagram. The samples were characterized by multiple techniques to establish structure–property relationships. Specifically, for structural characterization, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermo-gravimetric analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were carried out. For properties, electrochemical characterization was carried out. The best composition showed a discharge capacity of 244 mAh/g (C/15 rate) in the testing range of 4.6–2 V, with good coulombic efficiency and cyclability.     

Correlation between Li+ adsorption capacity and the preparation conditions of spinel lithium manganese precursor

Spinel lithium manganese oxides can be used as Li⁺ adsorbent with topotactical extraction of lithium. In this paper, the solid state methods were introduced to prepare spinel lithium manganese precursors with Li₂CO₃ and LiOH·H₂O as different Li sources. The Li⁺ uptake was studied to clarify the correction between Li⁺ adsorption capacity and the preparation conditions of precursors, including different Li sources, Li/Mn mole ratios and heating time. The results indicated that the Li⁺-extracted materials prepared with LiOH·H₂O and MnCO₃ usually have higher Li⁺ adsorption capacity than Li₂CO₃ and MnCO₃, and an ascending trend was found in Li⁺ uptake with increasing Li/Mn mole ratio in the preparation of the precursor, but it is not proportional. The Mn₂O₃ impurities could be the primary reason for decreasing Li⁺ adsorption capacity. Furthermore, it is concluded that the Li⁺-extracted materials obtained from spinel manganese oxides synthesized with Li/Mn = 1.0 can serve as selective Li⁺ absorbents due to its high selectivity and large adsorption capacity.     

Covalency Measurements via NMR in Lithium Metal Phosphates

³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) shifts on the order of thousands of parts per million are observed for olivine LiMPO₄ (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) samples, a promising class of Li ion rechargeable battery electrode materials. Variable-temperature ³¹P NMR measurements of shift are used to determine that the supertransferred hyperfine interaction is the dominant mechanism giving rise to these unusually large observed ³¹P shifts. Various models for predicting ³¹P and ⁷Li shifts in LiMPO₄ (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) were investigated. Alloys of LiFe_1−x Mn _x PO₄, where x varies from 0 to 1, were also investigated by ⁷Li NMR. Covalency constants, calculated from variable-temperature NMR shifts and magnetic susceptibility data, are determined for the P–O–M bonds in LiMPO₄ (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) and compared to the covalency constants of the Li–O–M bond. The sign and relative magnitude of the covalency constants are discussed in terms of positive and negative spin densities at the nuclei of interest. The covalency constants for the Li–O–M and P–O–M bonds were measured for Li_1.8Na_0.2FeMn₂(PO₄)₃ and compared to the covalency constants measured in the olivine LiMPO₄ (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) samples. The Li_1.8Na_0.2FeMn₂(PO₄)₃ structure has a volume per transition metal atom and Li–O–M bond distances that are similar to those of the olivine LiMPO₄ (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) samples. Authors' address: Jeffrey A. Reimer, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA     

Electrical relaxation studies of olivine type nanocrystalline LiMPO4 (M=Ni,Mn and Co) materials

The olivine type LiMPO₄ (M=Ni, Mn and Co) materials were synthesized by solution combustion technique using glycine as fuel. The structural characterizations were explored to confirm the phase formation of materials. The scanning electron microscope was used to identify the morphology of olivine materials. The local structure and chemical bonding between MO₆ octahedral and (PO₄)^3- tetrahedral groups were probed by Raman spectroscopy. Grain and grain boundaries were contributed for ion relaxation and dc conduction in olivine materials. Two orders of enhancement in ionic conductivity was observed in these olivine materials than the reported value. Among all the explored olivine samples, LiMnPO₄ showed highest enhancement in conductivity due to weak Li–O bonding and largest unit cell volume.     

Preparation and characterization of Li2CoMn3O8 thin film cathodes for high energy lithium batteries

An ion layer gas reaction (ILGAR) dip-coating process for the deposition of homogeneous spinel structured Li₂CoMn₃O₈ thin layers has been developed. Thin film cathodes for use in high-energy density lithium batteries with thicknesses of about 200 nm have been prepared. The films were found to be X-ray amorphous after preparation. After annealing at 700°C in air for 2 h, the spinel structure of Li₂CoMn₃O₈ was observed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The composition of the surface was studied by XPS, which indicated enhanced Li and Mn concentrations as a result of the rinsing process and different solubilities of the precursor salts. The electrochemical behavior was investigated by separating the annealed electrode sample from a conventional organic lithium ion-conducting electrolyte by a layer of LiPON solid electrolyte and using elemental lithium as counter electrode. A capacity of 110.8 mAh/g was observed which is related to the valence changes of Mn and Co in the spinel structure.     

Magnetism and thermal induced characteristics of Fe2O3 content bioceramics

Magnetic properties of Li₂O–MnO₂–CaO–P₂O₅–SiO₂ (LMCPS) glasses doped with various amounts of Fe₂O₃ were investigated. There is a dramatic change in the magnetic property of pristine LMCPS after the addition of Fe₂O₃ and crystallized at 850 °C for 4 h. Both the electron paramagnetic resonance and magnetic susceptibility measurements showed that the glass ceramic with 4 at% Fe₂O₃ exhibited the coexistence of superparamagnetism and ferromagnetism at room temperature. When the Fe₂O₃ content was higher than 8 at%, the LMCPS glasses showed ferromagnetism behavior. The complex magnetic behavior is due to the distribution of (Li, Mn)ferrite particle sizes driven by the Fe₂O₃ content. The thermal induced hysteresis loss of the crystallized LMCPS glass ceramics was characterized under an alternating magnetic field. The energy dissipations of the crystallized LMCPS glass ceramics were determined by the concentration and Mn/Fe ratios of Li(Mn, Fe)ferrite phase formed in the glass ceramics.     

Structural and electrochemical study of Cr-substituted layered manganese oxide cathode materials

A lithiated layered Mn–Cr compound, Li[Cr_0.29Li_0.24Mn_0.47]O₂ was synthesized by a solution method with subsequent quenching. The crystal structure was investigated by X-ray diffraction (Rietveld refinement) and Electron diffraction showing co-existence of rhombohedral and monoclinic structures. According to the co-indexed electron diffraction patterns and HRTEM images, Li[Cr_0.29Li_0.24Mn_0.47]O₂ electrode was composed of nano-scale domains indexed in monoclinic and hexagonal structures, simultaneously. The nano-composite cathode successfully prevents spinel-like structural transformation during cycling and delivered a good reversible capacity of about 195 mAh/g between 2.4 and 4.7 V.     

应变对层状锰系锂离子电池正极材料输出电压的影响

利用第一性原理方法系统研究了不同应 变模式对LiMnO₂和Li₂MnO₃输出电压的影响, 建立了输出电压与弹性常数及应变之间的关系. 发现所有应变对输出电压都是降低的, 且应变效应是各向异性的. 大部分的单轴应变5%时对输出电压的降低都小于0.1 V. 由于层状的电极材料层间的键合作用较弱, 且受脱锂后形成的锂空位影响较大, 当从锂层脱出锂时, 垂直于层方向的应变对输出电压影响较大; 而对Li₂MnO₃系统从过渡金属层中脱锂时, 平行于层的应变对输出电压影响更大. Li₂MnO₃骨架支撑的层状固溶体系中, 应变使高电压充电阶段的电压维持在截断电压之下, 并打开过渡金属层中锂的迁移通道, 产生较为持久的充电而可能获得较大的充电容量.     

Effect of C60 ion sputtering on the compositional depth profiling in XPS for Li(Ni,Co,Mn)O2 electrodes

The performance of a Li-ion cell strongly depends on the solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) on electrodes. The depth distribution of composition in SEI is normally determined by means of X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) via Ar ion sputtering. Recently, a new kind of ion gun using C60 ions as sputtering source was introduced. In this report, a comparison between the effects of these two kinds of ion guns on the quantification of Li(Ni,Co,Mn)O₂ electrodes was made. It was found that the C60 ion gun is more suitable for analyzing the composition and chemical state of Li(Ni,Co,Mn)O₂ electrode since that it causes lower chemical damage in the superficial layer.     

On electrochemistry of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-coated LiCoO<Subscript>2</Subscript> composite cathode with improved cycle stability

LiCoO₂-based cathode does still have a powerful competition in high-end mobile electronics due to its relatively high true density (about 5.2 g/cm³). When the operation potential range is extended, the improvement in its cycle stability has attracted more attention. The extension of its operation potential can be realized by partial replacement of Co by Ni and Mn or by surface modification. However, Ni and Mn replacing partial Co results in decreased true density; for example, the true density of LiNi_0.5Mn_0.3Co_0.2O₂ is about 4.6 g/cm³. In this case, the increase in its practical energy density is impossible. As a result, the surface modification technology becomes very important to extend its operation potential range. In this article, an Al₂O₃-coated LiCoO₂ cathode was synthesized. X-ray diffraction test did not show any impurity. Scanning electron spectroscopy measurements showed that the basic microstructure of pristine LiCoO₂ grain is sustained after coating Al₂O₃. The surface characteristic of pure and Al₂O₃-coated LiCoO₂ was also analyzed using an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) technique. Unusual XPS peaks of O 1s, Al 2p, and Co 2p binding energy were found and may be caused by the possible H existence in crystal structure. The electrochemical behavior was systematically investigated, and the cathode was cycled at different charge cutoff voltages (4.30～4.60 V). The charge-discharge and cyclic voltammetry measurements showed an obviously improved cyclic performance after coating Al₂O₃. The electrocatalytic activity is not clearly changed before and after coating Al₂O₃. From our systematical investigation, it could be concluded that the Al₂O₃-coated LiCoO₂ cathode is suitable for practical application in the potential range of 3.70～4.50 V vs. Li/Li⁺.     

Lithium-rich layered nickel–manganese oxides as high-performance cathode materials: the effects of composition and PEG on performance

Lithium-rich layered nickel–manganese oxide (LRL-NMO) as a cathode material for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries was successfully prepared using an oxalic acid co-precipitation method, with polyethylene glycol (PEG1000) as an additive. The effects of the Ni/Mn ratio and of PEG on the phase purity, morphology, and electrochemical performance of LRL-NMO were investigated with X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and charge/discharge testing. Li[Li_0.167Ni_0.25Mn_0.580]O₂ delivered the best electrochemical performance among the various Li[Li_1/3?2x/3Ni _x Mn_2/3?x/3]O₂ (0?<?x?<?0.5) materials. Furthermore, the sample to which an appropriate amount of PEG had been added showed much smaller and more uniform particle size, higher discharge capacity and energy density, better cycling stability, and lower resistance. The material prepared by adding 9 wt% PEG exhibited high discharge capacity and stability; after 100 cycles at 2 C, it still delivered a discharge capacity of 125.6 mAh g^?1, which was 50 % higher than that of a sample prepared without PEG.     

Identification of the Li sites in the Li ion conductor, Li6SrLa2Nb2O12, through neutron powder diffraction studies

In this paper a neutron powder diffraction structural study of the Li ion conducting garnet-related system, Li₆SrLa₂Nb₂O₁₂, is reported. The results show that this phase is cubic, space group Ia-3d, and contains Li in two partially occupied crystallographic sites. The first site, Li1, corresponds to the ideal tetrahedral site in the garnet framework and possesses an occupancy of 0.59(1). The second site, Li2, is significantly more distorted and possesses an occupancy of 0.352(3). Compared to the related Li₅La₃Nb₂O₁₂ system, the Li2 site occupancy is greatly increased, while the Li1 site occupancy is reduced. Despite these large differences in site occupancies, the reported conductivities for Li₅La₃Nb₂O₁₂ and Li₆SrLa₂Nb₂O₁₂ are similar, showing the complexities of these new garnet Li ion conductors.