Improving rate performance of cathode material Li<Subscript>1.2</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.54</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.13</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>0.13</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> via niobium doping

As a promising Li-ion battery cathode active material, lithium-rich manganese-based layer-structured oxides suffer from inferior cycle performance and poor rate capability. Herein, Nb-doped Li_1.2Mn_0.54Ni_0.13Co_0.13O₂ is prepared by a sol-gel method, and the effects of Nb doping on its electrochemical performance are investigated. It is concluded that the Nb-doped Li_1.2Mn_0.54Ni_0.13Co_0.13O₂, has a good layered structure along c-axis independent on the amount of Nb dopant and little cationic mixing. Nb doping for Li_1.2Mn_0.54Ni_0.13Co_0.13O₂ has no obvious influence on its morphology. It is found that Nb doping can enhance the electrochemical activity of Li_1.2Mn_0.54Ni_0.13Co_0.13O₂, such as improved rate performance and cycle performance under high rate conditions. Li_1.2Mn_0.54Ni_0.13Co_0.13O₂ doped with 0.015 Nb shows the best cycle performance under the high rate with the capacity maintenance of 95.4% after 100 cycles under 5 C rate, which is higher than that of the undoped one by 10.5%.

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Graphical abstract Rate performance of Li_1.2Mn_0.54-xCo_0.13Ni_0.13Nb _x O₂ materials

     

Subsolidus phase relations in the Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>O-Ta<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> (Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>) systems

The phase composition has been studied and an equilibrium phase diagram has been designed for the Al₂O₃-Li₂O-R₂O₅ (R = Ta or Nb) systems in the subsolidus region up to 1000°C and 85 mol % Li₂O. New phases with the composition Li_1+x Al_1?x O_2?x , where x = 0–0.67, have been found.     

Sol-gel synthesis of ZnO/Zn<Subscript>2-x</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>x</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>4</Subscript> powders: structural properties,electrical conductivity and dielectric behavior

The aim of this work was an investigation of structural and electrical properties of ZnO/Zn_2-xFe_xTiO₄ (x?=?0.7, 1, 1.4) powders. The compounds obtained by sol-gel method are characterized by several techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electrical and dielectrical measurements. The XRD, SEM and XPS analysis confirmed the formation of ZnFeTiO₄ inverse spinel structure. The electrical and dielectrical properties of ZnO/Zn_2-xFe_xTiO₄ (x?=?0.7, 1, 1.4) were measured by impedance spectroscopy, revealing a decrease in the electrical conductivity and the dielectric constant with Fe content.

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Preparation of epitaxial CaMn<Subscript>7</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> film via sol-gel method and its ferromagnetic properties

CaMn₇O₁₂ precursor sol was prepared by using Ca(NO₃)₂·4H₂O and Mn(CH₃COO)₄·4H₂O as the raw materials, acetylacetone (AcAcH) as the chelating agent, and methyl alcohol (MeOH) as the solvent. The CaMn₇O₁₂ crystalline film was obtained via dip-coating and annealing treatment on the LaAlO₃ (001) single-crystal substrate. XRD θ-2θ scan indicated that the as-prepared CaMn₇O₁₂ film had strong preferred orientation along the c-axis. In addition, the results of the ω and ? scans demonstrated that the film exhibited outstanding out-of-plane and in-plane texture characteristics. The SEM characterization showed that the CaMn₇O₁₂ film was dense and free of cracks. The grain size was uniform with an average size of ~180?nm. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) test results indicated the CaMn₇O₁₂ film was antiferromagnetic and had a saturation magnetization of 114.2?emu/cm³ at 50?K.

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Structure and properties of solid solutions based on bismuth niobate Bi<Subscript>3</Subscript>NbO<Subscript>7</Subscript>

Solid solutions Bi₃Nb_1–yW_yO_{7 ± δ}, Bi₃Nb_1–yV_yO_{7 ± δ}, Bi₃Nb_1–yFe_yO_{7 ± δ} (y = 0.1–0.5; Δy = 0.1), and Bi_3–xY_xNb_1–yW_yO_{7 ± δ} (x = 0.05, 0.1; y = 0–0.3; Δy = 0.1) have been studied. The homogeneity ranges of the solid solutions and crystal-chemical parameters have been determined by means of X-ray powder diffraction. The electrical conductivity of sintered samples has been studied by impedance spectroscopy. The joint introduction of yttrium and tungsten into the niobium sublattice does not lead to an increase in the conductivity of solid solutions, and the change of the dopant type has no noticeable effect on this conductivity.     

Investigations on the phase transition of Mn-doped BaTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> multifunctional ferroelectric ceramics through Raman,dielectric, and magnetic studies

BaTiO₃ (BTO) and BaTi_1?xMn_xO₃ (x?=?0.25, 0.50, 0.75?mol%) ceramic materials have been prepared by the sol–gel combustion method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) has been carried out to characterize the phase purity and crystal structure of the prepared compounds, and all XRD patterns suggest tetragonal structure with the phase group of P4mm. The variation in the estimated lattice parameters confirms the incorporation of Mn atoms at Ti site of BTO. Raman spectroscopy studies under various temperatures suggest a phase transition from tetragonal to cubic phase at ~433?K, identified by a distinct Raman mode at 308?cm^?1. As Raman modes are getting softened by Mn doping, phase transition temperature of the Mn-doped compounds is significantly decreased from 473?K (x?=?0%) to 433?K (x?=?0.75%). Dielectric properties such as permittivity and dielectric loss as the function of frequency under various temperatures have two distinct dielectric anomalies (i) at 393?K associated to tetragonal to cubic phase transition and (ii) at 550?K due to oxygen vacancy defect in the samples. Observation of weak ferromagnetism at 2, 300, and 400?K in the M (H) and ZFC-FC curve, suppose its origin due to an intriguing exchange interaction between Mn and oxygen vacancies.

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Effects of Nb substitution on structure and electrochemical properties of LiNi<Subscript>0.7</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.3</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> cathode materials

Nb-doped cathode materials with the formula Li(Ni_0.7Mn_0.3)_1?xNb_xO₂ (x?=?0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04) have been prepared successfully by calcining the mixtures of LiOH·H₂O, Nb₂O₅, and Ni_0.7Mn_0.3(OH)₂ precursor formed through a simple continuous co-precipitation method. The effects of Nb substitution on the crystal structure and electrochemical properties of LiNi_0.7Mn_0.3O₂ were studied systematically by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and various electrochemical measurements. The results show that the lattice parameters of the Nb substitution LiNi_0.7Mn_0.3O₂ samples are slightly larger than that of pure LiNi_0.7Mn_0.3O₂, and the basic α-NaFeO₂ layered structure does not change with the Nb doping. What’s more, better morphology, lower resistance, and good cycle stability were obtained after Nb substitution. In addition, CV test exhibits that Nb doping results in lower electrode polarization and XPS results indicate that the valence of Mn kept constant but the component of Ni³⁺ decreased after doping. All the results indicate that Nb doping in LiNi_0.7Mn_0.3O₂ is a promising method to improve the properties of Ni-rich lithium-ion batteries positive-electrode materials.     

Effect of phosphate doping on electric properties and chemical stability of Ba<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ca<Subscript>2</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>11</Subscript> protonic conductor

Conductivity of perovskite phosphate–substituted solid solutions of Ba₄Ca₂Nb_{2 –x} P _x O₁₁ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) was studied as a function of temperature, partial pressure of oxygen and water vapors. It is proved that the studied systems are protonic conductors at the temperatures below 600°C in the atmosphere with elevated content of water vapors (pH₂O = 1.92 × 10^–2 atm). Introduction of the tetrahedral [PO₄] group in the complex oxide matrix of Ba₄Ca₂Nb₂O₁₁ results in an increase in the oxygen–ionic (dry air, pH₂O = 1.91 × 10^–4 atm) and protonic conductivities (wet air, pH₂O = 1.92 × 10^–2 atm). Is it found that the doping causes a considerable increase in chemical stability of phases with respect to carbon dioxide.     

Phase equilibria in the system LaMnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SrMnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SrCrO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-LaCrO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

A continuous solid solution LaMn_1?y Cr _y O₃ with an orthorhombic structure is found to exist in the range of 0.0 ≤ y ≤ 1.0. An orthorhombic solid solution La_1?x Sr _x CrO₃ exists in the range of 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1. The stability boundaries are determined for the perovskite phase La_1?x Sr _x Mn_1?y Cr _y O₃. An isobaric-isothermal section LaMnO₃-SrMnO₃-SrCrO₄-LaCrO₃ of the system La₂O₃-SrO-Mn₃O₄-Cr₂O₃ in air at 1100°C is designed.     

The synthesis and properties of solid solutions based on Ba<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ca<Subscript>2</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>11</Subscript>

(Ba_{1 ? x} Ca _x )₆Nb₂O₁₁ solid solutions were synthesized. The compositions were shown to be single-phase at 0.23 ≤ x ≤ 0.47 and have a double perovskite cubic structure with an incomplete oxygen sublattice. The interaction of solid solutions with water vapor and their electrical properties were studied. In dry atmosphere, these complex oxides were mixed oxygen-hole conductors. In humid atmosphere, they intercalated water and exhibited protonic conductivity. The influence of Ba/Ca isovalent substitution, the dynamics of the oxygen sublattice, and the concentration of intercalated water on the value and contribution of protonic and hole conductivity was analyzed.     

Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript> incorporated barium hexaferrites: structural and magnetic properties

BaM hexaferrites substituted with both Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions, namely, Ba_1-2×Ca_xMg_xFe₁₂O₁₉ (0.0?≤?x?≤?0.1), synthesized during a sol–gel auto-combustion route. The hexaferrite phase and morphology of all samples were investigated using X-ray powder diffraction, a field emission scanning electron microscope, a high-resolution transmission microscope, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In addition, an M-type hexagonal structure was confirmed using XRD for all samples. FE-SEM and TEM revealed the shape of the hexagonal plate. Measurements of the magnetization versus the field M(H) of Ba_1-2×Ca_xMg_xFe₁₂O₁₉ (0.0?≤?x?≤?0.1) nanohexaferrites were conducted at 300 and 10?K. A hard-ferrimagnetic behavior at both 300 and 10?K was noted for the different products produced. The squareness ratio indicates the uniaxial anisotropy for various products. The deduced values of saturation magnetization (M_s) in all substituted samples are higher than in the pristine sample (x?=?0). The Ba_0.96Ca_0.02Mg_0.02Fe₁₂O₁₉ nanosized hexaferrite showed the highest values of M_s, remanence M_r, magneton number (n_B), and magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant (K_eff). In contrast, the values of the coercive field (H_c) and intrinsic coercivity (H_ci) diminish with the increase in the amount of the substituted Ca and Mg elements.

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Synthesis of high-energy-density LiMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> cathode through surficial Nb doping for lithium-ion batteries

LiMn₂O₄ is one of the most promising cathode materials due to its high abundance and low cost. However, the practical application of LiMn₂O₄ is greatly limited owing to its low volumetric energy density. Therefore, increasing its energy density is an urgent problem to be resolved. Herein, using the simple and mass production preferred solid-state reaction, surficial Nb-doped LiMn₂O₄ composed of the truncated octahedral or spherical-like primary particles are successfully synthesized. Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterizations confirm that most of Nb⁵⁺ enrich in the surficial layer of the particles to form a LiMn_2-xNb_xO₄ phase. This kind of doping can increase the specific discharge capacity of LiMn₂O₄ materials. Contrast with the pristine LiMn₂O₄, the discharge capacity of LiMn_1.99Nb_0.01O₄-based 18650R-type battery increases from 1497 to 1705 mAh with the volumetric energy density increasing by ~?13.9%, benefiting from the joint increments of the specific discharge capacity from 119.5 to 123.7 mAh g^?1 and the compacted density from 2.81 to 3.10 g cm^?3. Furthermore, the capacity retention after 500 cycles at 1 C (1500 mA) is also improved by 17.1%.

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Graphical abstract ?

     

Systems Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>O(Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)-CdO-V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>: Phase composition and phase diagrams

The subsolidus phase composition of the M₂O-CdO-V₂O₅ systems with M = Li or Na is studied. Double orthovanadates MCdVO₄ and MCd₄(VO₄)₃ form solid solutions of composition Li_{1 ? 2x/3}Cd _x/3CdVO₄ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1, orthorhombic space group Cmcm, modulation at x = 0.6) and Na_{3 ? 2x} Cd_{3 + x} (VO₄)₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.10 and 0.30 ≤ x ≤ 1, orthorhombic space group Cmcm and Pn2₁ a or Pnma, respectively). In the range 0.10 < x < 0.30, the end-members of the solid solutions coexist. Isothermal sections of the systems are mapped.     

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of Ag/CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> hybrid architectures

Flower-like ceria (CeO₂) architectures consisting of well aligned nanosheets were first synthesized by a glycol solvothermal method. The size of CeO₂ architectures is about 5?μm in width and 10?μm in length, with the nanosheets thickness below 100?nm. Subsequently, the adsorbed Ag ions on the surface of CeO₂ were in situ reduced to form Ag nanoparticles (NPs), leading to the fabrication of Ag/CeO₂ hybrid architectures (HAs). The formed Ag NPs with sizes of 20–40?nm were uniformly loaded on the surface of the CeO₂ sheets. The antibacterial properties of Ag/CeO₂ HAs against Gram-negative E. coli and Gram-positive S. aureus were evaluated by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and a filter paper inhibition zone method. The results demonstrated that Ag/CeO₂ HAs displayed excellent antibacterial activity toward S. aureus and E. coli, which were attributed to the synergistic antibacterial effect between Ag NPs and CeO₂ in HAs_. Here, CeO₂ nanoflowers as a new substrate could restrict Ag NPs aggregations and improve their antibacterial activities. Therefore, the resulted Ag/CeO₂ HAs would be considered as a promising antibacterial agent.

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Catalytic efficiency of cesium and potassium salts of dodecatungstophosphoric acid supported on silica and comparison with H<Subscript>3</Subscript>PW<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>40</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Pure tungstophosphoric acid, potassium tungstophosphate, and cesium tungstophosphate with varying extent of substitution of protons by Cs or K ions x (x = 1, 2, 2.5, and 3) have been prepared and are supported on silica by the wet impregnation method. The extent of loading was fixed at 20 wt %. For the sake of comparison, unloaded Cs _x and K _x (x = 1) salts of tungstophosphoric acid were prepared by the precipitation method. The supported catalysts were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, specific surface area measurements, and catalytic conversion of tert-butanol. The results revealed that the catalytic conversion of tert-butanol proceeds mainly via dehydration yielding isobutene. The Cs₁PW/SiO₂, HPW/SiO₂, and K₁PW/SiO₂ catalysts were more active than their unsupported samples. The previous solids showed greater catalytic activity and stability. Unexpectedly, substitution of one proton of tungstophosphoric acid by a cesium or potassium ion exerted no measurable effect on the catalytic activity of the treated solids, in spite of decreasing the Brønsted acidity of Cs₁PW/SiO₂ and K₁PW/SiO₂ indicating that the acidity of HPW/SiO₂ decrease may be due to the interaction between HPW and the SiO₂ surface. On the other hand, significant decrease in the catalytic activity took place upon increasing the cation content (x) to x = 2, 2.5, and 3.     

High-pressure defect phase Tm<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>

Perovskite-related oxide Tm _x Cu₃V₄O₁₂ (space group Im \(\bar 3\), Z = 2, a = 7.262?7.273 Å) with vacancies in the cationic sublattice has been prepared for the first time under barothermal conditions (p = 7.0?9.0 GPa, T = 900?1100°C). Electric resistivity (10–300 K) and magnetic susceptibility (0–300 K) were studied as a function of temperature. Tm _x Cu₃V₄O₁₂ is shown to have a metallic conductivity and paramagnetism.     

Chemical composition-structure-properties relations in a series of Sr<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Ba<Subscript>1-<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript> compounds

Based on structural studies of Sr _x Ba_1-x Nb₂O₆ crystals with different concentrations of strontium and barium, the structural causality of optical nonlinearity of these crystalline materials is established. YAG:Nd laser radiation of the crystals results in a monotonic decrease in the second harmonic intensity with increasing strontium concentration in a sample. Fine details of the structure responsible for this effect are determined.     

Crystal Structure of Tl<Subscript>2</Subscript>[NbCl<Subscript>6</Subscript>] and Tl<Subscript>2</Subscript>[NbBr<Subscript>6</Subscript>]

Single crystals of Tl₂[NbCl₆] (1) and Tl₂ [NbBr₆] (2) are obtained as black needles on heating TlCl, Nb, S₂Cl₂ (1) and Tl, Nb, and Br₂ at 400°C (2). Tl₂NbBr₆ also forms in the reaction of TlBr, Nb, Br₂, and S at 500°C. Both compounds crystallize in the K₂[PtCl₆] structure type to form non-distorted octahedral [NbХ₆]^2– anions (Nb–Cl 2.397(4) Å and Nb–Br 2.516(2) Å). The magnetic properties of Tl₂[NbBr₆] in a range 5-300 K indicate an antiferromagnetic interaction between Nb⁴⁺ ion spins (d¹, S = 1/2). On cooling, the compound becomes a noncollinear ferromagnet with T_c = 23 K.     

Phase formation in the Ag<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-MgMoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

The subsolidus region of the Ag₂MoO₄-MgMoO₄-Al₂(MoO₄)₃ ternary salt system has been studied by X-ray phase analysis. The formation of new compounds Ag_{1 ? x} Mg_{1 ? x} Al_{1 + x} (MoO₄)₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) and AgMg₃Al(MoO₄)₅ has been determined. The Ag_{1 ? x} Mg_{1 ? x} Al_{1 + x} (MoO₄)₃ variable-composition phase is related to the NASICON type structure (space group R \(\bar 3\) c). AgMg₃Al(MoO₄)₅ is isostructural to sodium magnesium indium molybdate of the same formula unit and crystallizes in triclinic system (space group P \(\bar 1\), Z = 2) with the following unit cell parameters: a = 9.295(7) Å, b = 17.619(2) Å, c = 6.8570(7) Å, α = 87.420(9)°, β = 101.109(9)°, γ = 91.847(9)°. The compounds Ag_{1 ? x} Mg_{1 ? x} Al_{1 + x} (MoO₄)₃ and AgMg₃Al(MoO₄)₅ are thermally stable up to 790 and 820°C, respectively.     

Facile synthesis of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Ag composite aerogel with excellent antibacterial properties

In this study, the effective TiO₂/Ag composite antibacterial aerogel powder is prepared by facile sol–gel method and ethanol supercritical technology. The surface morphology, structural properties, and chemical components are monitored by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and energy disperse?spectroscopy (EDS). Meanwhile, absorbance spectra and specific surface area of TiO₂/Ag composite aerogel are characterized by UV-Vis spectra and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller. The TiO₂/Ag composite aerogel with Ti/Ag molar ratios of 10:1, 30:1, 50:1 are measured for its antibacterial property by using Escherichia coliform (E.coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The results show that the size of TiO₂ and Ag nanoparticles are 40?nm and 25?nm, respectively. Simultaneously, the obtained composite aerogel with a porous structure possessed a surface area of 148?m²/g, an average pore size 11.5?nm, and a pore volume 0.39?cm³/g. With the increase of Ag content, the antibacterial properties of composite aerogel are greatly improved compared with pure TiO₂ aerogel. When Ag/Ti molar ratios was 1:10, the highest antibacterial rate can up to 99%, and the inhibition bands of E. coli and S. aureus are 23?mm and 19?mm, respectively.

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Schematic representation of growth mechanism of TiO₂/Ag composite aerogel (a) and antibacterial performance test (b, c)