Effect of Li excess content and Ti dopants on electrochemical properties of LiFePO<Subscript>4</Subscript> prepared by thermal reduction method

Carbon coated Li_{1 + x} FePO₄ (x = 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04) and doped compositions Li_1.03Fe_0.99Ti_0.01PO₄ have been synthesized by thermal reduction method in this paper. The results showed that increasing the content in Li_{1 + x} FePO₄ result in better electrochemical properties and cyclic performances until x = 0.03, which had similar change law with the particle size of samples; and the initial discharge capacity and cycle life of Li_1.03Fe_0.9Ti_0.01PO₄ was better than other samples under 1 C rate. When the Li_1.03Fe_0.99Ti_0.01PO₄/C sample cycled before 60 times, this sample exhibited a trend of increased capacity, and reached the highest discharging rate capacity of 156 mA h g⁻¹ at 60 cycles. The electrochemical performances of LiFePO₄ compositions synthesized by thermal reduction method, to some extent, can be improved by Li excess content and Ti doping.     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of nanosized carbon-coated Li1−3x La x FePO4 composites

Nanosized carbon-coated Li_1−3x La _x FePO₄ composites were synthesized using a fast, easy, microwave assisted, room-temperature, solid-state method. A lanthanum precursor was used to improve the electronic conductivity of LiFePO₄. The particle structure of the as-synthesized samples was observed using transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that a uniform and continuous carbon layer was formed on the surface of Li_1−3x La _x FePO₄ particles. Electrochemical techniques, such as cyclic voltammetry, charge/discharge test, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to investigate the electrochemical performance of the samples. The results of electrochemical measurements revealed that the carbon coating and lanthanum doping provided an initial discharge capacity of 145 mA h/g with excellent rate capacity and long cycling stability. These advantages, coupled with the low cost, the high thermal stability, and the environmental friendliness of the raw materials, render Li_1−3x La _x FePO₄/C composites attractive for practical and large-scale applications.     

Synthesis and electrochemical performances of Li4Ti4.95Zr0.05O12/C as anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Spinel Li₄Ti_5 − x Zr _x O₁₂/C (x = 0, 0.05) were prepared by a solution method. The structure and morphology of the as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemical performances including charge–discharge (0–2.5 V and 1–2.5 V), cyclic voltammetry, and ac impedance were also investigated. The results revealed that the Li₄Ti_4.95Zr_0.05O₁₂/C had a relatively smaller particle size and more regular morphology than that of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/C. Zr⁴⁺ doping enhanced the ability of lithium-ion diffusion in the electrode. It delivered a discharge capacity 289.03 mAh g⁻¹ after 50 cycles for the Zr⁴⁺-doped Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/C while it decreased to 264.03 mAh g⁻¹ for the Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/C at the 0.2C discharge to 0 V. Zr⁴⁺ doping did not change the electrochemical process, instead enhanced the electronic conductivity and ionic conductivity. The reversible capacity and cycling performance were effectively improved especially when it was discharged to 0 V.     

Preparation and electrochemical properties of Li<Subscript>0.97</Subscript>Er<Subscript>0.01</Subscript>FePO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/C composite for lithium-ion batteries

Li_0.97Er_0.01FePO₄/C composite was prepared by solid-state reaction, using particle modification with amorphous carbon from the decomposition of glucose and lattice doping with supervalent cation Er³⁺. All samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, multi-point Brunauer Emmett and Teller methodes. The electrochemical tests show Li_0.97Er_0.01FePO₄/C composite obtains the highest discharge specific capacity of 154 mAh g⁻¹ at C/10 rate and the best rate capability. Its specific capacity reaches 131 mAh g⁻¹ at 2C rate. Its capacity loss is only 14.9 % when the rate varies from C/10 to 2C.     

Electrochemical performance of LiFePO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/C doped with F synthesized by carbothermal reduction method using NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>F as dopant

The effect of fluorine doping on the electrochemical performance of LiFePO₄/C cathode material is investigated. The stoichiometric proportion of LiFe(PO₄)_1−x F_3x /C (x = 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2) materials was synthesized by a solid-state carbothermal reduction route at 650 °C using NH₄F as dopant. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses demonstrate that fluorine can be incorporated into LiFePO₄/C without altering the olivine structure, but slightly changing the lattice parameters and having little effect on the particle sizes. However, heavy fluorine doping can bring in impurities. Fluorine doping in LiFePO₄/C results in good reversible capacity and rate capability. LiFe(PO₄)_0.95 F_0.15/C exhibits highest initial capacity and best rate performance. Its discharge capacities at 0.1 and 5 C rates are 156.1 and 119.1 mAh g⁻¹, respectively. LiFe(PO₄)_0.95 F_0.15/C also presents an obviously better cycle life than the other samples. We attribute the improvement of the electrochemical performance to the smaller charge transfer resistance (R _ct) and influence of fluorine on the PO₄³⁻ polyanion in LiFePO₄/C.     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of spinel Li4Ti5O12−x Cl x anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Li₄Ti₅O_12−x Cl _x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) compounds were synthesized successfully via high temperature solid-state reaction. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize their structure and morphology. Cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and charge/discharge cycling performance tests were used to characterize their electrochemical properties. The results showed that the Li₄Ti₅O_12−x Cl _x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) compounds were well-crystallized pure spinel phase and that the grain sizes of the samples were about 3–8 μm. The Li₄Ti₅O_11.8Cl_0.2 sample presented the best discharge capacity among all the samples and showed better reversibility and higher cyclic stability compared with pristine Li₄Ti₅O₁₂. When the discharge rate was 0.5 C, the Li₄Ti₅O_11.8Cl_0.2 sample presented the superior discharge capacity of 148.7 mAh g⁻¹, while that of the pristine Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ was 129.8 mAh g⁻¹; when the discharge rate was 2 C, the Li₄Ti₅O_11.8Cl_0.2 sample presented the discharge capacity of 120.7 mAh g⁻¹, while that of the pristine Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ was only 89.8 mAh g⁻¹.     

Electrochemical properties of tetravalent Ti-doped spinel LiMn2O4

Ti-doped spinel LiMn₂O₄ is synthesized by solid-state reaction. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis indicate that the structure of the doped sample is Li( Mn^{3 +} Mn_{1 - x} ^{4 +} Ti_x^{4 +} )O₄ {\hbox{Li}}\left( {{\hbox{M}}{{\hbox{n}}^{3 + }}{\hbox{Mn}}_{1 - x\,}^{4 + }{\hbox{Ti}}_x^{4 + }} \right){\hbox{O}}{}_4 . The first principle-based calculation shows that the lattice energy increases as Ti doping content increases, which indicates that Ti doping reinforces the stability of the spinel structure. The galvanostatic charge–discharge results show that the doped sample LiMn_1.97Ti_0.03O₄ exhibits maximum discharge capacity of 135.7 mAh g⁻¹ (C/2 rate). Moreover, after 70 cycles, the capacity retention of LiMn_1.97Ti_0.03O₄ is 95.0% while the undoped sample LiMn₂O₄ shows only 84.6% retention under the same condition. Additionally, as charge–discharge rate increases to 12C, the doped sample delivers the capacity of 107 mAh g⁻¹, which is much higher than that of the undoped sample of only 82 mAh g⁻¹. The significantly enhanced capacity retention and rate capability are attributed to the more stable spinel structure, higher ion diffusion coefficient, and lower charge transfer resistance of the Ti-doped spinel.     

Ionic conduction of lithium for Perovskite-type compounds, Li x La(1− x )/3NbO3 and (Li0.25La0.25)1− x Sr0.5 x NbO3

Perovskite-type compounds, Li _x La_{(1− x )/3}NbO₃ and (Li_0.25La_0.25)_{1− x} Sr_{0.5 x} NbO₃ as lithium ionic conductors, were synthesized by a solid-state reaction. From powder X-ray diffraction, the solid solution ranges of the two compounds were determined to be 0≤x≤0.25 and 0≤x≤0.125, respectively. In the Li _x La_{(1− x )/3}NbO₃ system, the ionic conductivity of lithium at room temperature, σ₂₅, exhibited a maximum value of 4.7 × 10⁻⁵ S · cm⁻¹ at x = 0.10. However, because of the decrease in the lattice parameters with increasing Li concentration x˙, σ₂₅ of the samples decreased with increasing x from 0.10 to 0.25. Also, in the (Li_0.25La_0.25)_{1− x} Sr_{0.5 x} NbO₃ system, the lattice parameter increased with the increase of Sr concentration and the σ₂₅ achieved a maximum (7.3 × 10⁻⁵ S · cm⁻¹ at 25 °C) at x = 0.125. Received: 12 September 1997 / Accepted: 15 November 1997     

Oleic acid-assisted preparation of LiMnPO<Subscript>4</Subscript> and its improved electrochemical performance by Co doping

LiMnPO₄, with a particle size of 50–150 nm, was prepared by oleic acid-assisted solid-state reaction. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemical properties of the materials were investigated by galvanostatic cycling. It was found that the introduction of oleic acid in the precursor led to smaller particle size and more homogeneous size distribution in the final products, resulting in improved electrochemical performance. The electrochemical performance of the sample could be further enhanced by Co doping. The mechanism for the improvement of the electrochemical performance was investigated by Li-ion chemical diffusion coefficient ( [(D)\tilde]_\textLi ) \left( {{{\tilde{D}}_{\text{Li}}}} \right) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. The results revealed that the [(D)\tilde]_\textLi {\tilde{D}_{\text{Li}}} values of LiMnPO₄ measured by cyclic voltammetry method increase from 9.2 × 10⁻¹⁸ to 3.0 × 10⁻¹⁷ cm² s⁻¹ after Co doping, while the charge transfer resistance (R _ct) can be decreased by Co doping.     

New doped Li-M-Mn-O (M = Al, Fe, Ni) spinels as cathodes for rechargeable 3 V lithium batteries

The electrochemical behaviour of new doped Li-M-Mn-O (M = Al, Fe, Ni) spinel oxides in liquid electrolyte lithium cells was studied. The insertion electrode materials were obtained by heating stoichiometric amounts of thoroughly mixed LiOH and M _x Mn_{1− x} CO₃ (M = Fe, Ni; x = 0.08−0.15) or Al _x Mn_{1− x} (CO₃) (OH) _y , in the case of Al, at 380 °C in air for 20 h. The transition metal-doped samples, particularly those containing Ni or obtained at low temperatures, where the resulting spinel was cation-deficient and highly disordered, exhibited the best cycling performance in the potential window 3.3−2.3 V. Cell capacity was retained by 80% after 200 cycles. Capacity fading was observed on increasing the firing temperature, together with improved crystallinity and the disappearance of cation vacancies. This impaired electrochemical behaviour is ascribed to a Jahn-Teller effect, which induces an X-ray-detectable cubic-tetragonal phase transition upon lithium insertion. The phase transition was undetectable in the low-temperature samples. The influence of the Jahn-Teller distortion is thus seemingly lessened by a highly disordered structure. Received: 25 November 1997 / Accepted: 28 January 1998     

Oxygen ionic transport in Bi2O3-based oxides: The solid solutions Bi2O3–Nb2O5

The minimum concentration of niobium to stabilize the fluorite-type f.c.c. phase in the Bi₂O₃–Nb₂O₅ oxide system at temperatures below 996 K was ascertained to be about 10 mol%. Thermal expansion, electrical conductivity and crystal lattice parameters of the Bi(Nb)O_1.5+δ solid solutions decrease with increasing niobium content. Thermal expansion coefficients were calculated from the dilatometric data to be (10.314.5)×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ at temperatures in the range 300–700 K and (17.526.0)×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ at 700–1100 K. The conductivity of the Bi_{1− x} Nb _x O_1.5+δ ceramics is predominantly ionic. The p-type electronic transference numbers of the Bi(Nb)O_1.5+δ solid solutions in air were determined to be less than 0.1. Annealing at temperatures below 900 K results in a sharp decrease in conductivity of the Bi_{1− x} Nb _x O_1.5+δ ceramics. Received: 18 August 1997 / Accepted: 20 October 1997     

Mechanism studies and electrochemical performance optimization on xLiFePO4·(1 ? x)Li3V2(PO4)3 hybrid materials

Hybrid materials xLiFePO₄·(1 − x)Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ were synthesized by sol–gel method, with phenolic resin as carbon source and chelating agent, methylglycol as surfactant. The crystal structure, morphology and electrochemical performance of the prepared samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge test and particle size analysis. The results show that LiFePO₄ and Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ co-exist in hybrid materials, but react in single phase. Compared with individual LiFePO₄ and Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ samples, hybrid materials have smaller particle size and more uniform grain distribution. This structure can facilitate Li ions extraction and insertion, which greatly improves the electrochemical properties. The sample 0.7LiFePO₄·0.3Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ retains the advantages of LiFePO₄ and Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃, obtaining an initial discharge capacity of 166 mA h/g at 0.1 C rate and 109 mA h/g at 20 C rate, with a capacity retention rate of 73.3% and an excellent cycle stability.     

Li-cycling properties of nano-crystalline (Ni1 ? xZnx)Fe2O4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1)

Sol–gel auto-combustion method is adopted to prepare solid solutions of nano-crystalline spinel oxides, (Ni_1 − x Zn _x )Fe₂O₄ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1).The phases are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area. The cubic lattice parameters, calculated by Rietveld refinement of XRD data by taking in to account the cationic distribution and affinity of Zn ions to tetrahedral sites, show almost Vegard’s law behavior. Galvanostatic cycling of the heat-treated electrodes of various compositions are carried in the voltage range 0.005–3 V vs. Li at 50 mAg⁻¹ up to 50 cycles. Phases with high Zn content x ≥ 0.6 showed initial two-phase Li-intercalation in to the structure. Second-cycle discharge capacities above 1,000 mAh g⁻¹ are observed for all x. However, drastic capacity fading occurs in all cases up to 10–15 cycles. The capacity fading between 10 and 50 cycles is found to be greater than 52% for x ≤ 0.4 and for x = 0.8. For x = 0.6 and x = 1, the respective values are 40% and 18% and a capacity of 570 and 835 mAh g⁻¹ is retained after 50 cycles. Cyclic voltammetry and ex situ transmission electron microscopy data elucidate the Li-cycling mechanism involving conversion reaction and Li–Zn alloying–dealloying reactions.     

Electrochemical performance of rare-earth doped LiMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> spinel cathode materials for Li-ion rechargeable battery

Spinel powders of LiMn_2−x RE _x O₄ (RE = La, Ce, Nd, Sm; 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1) have been synthesized by solid-phase reaction. The structure and electrochemical properties of these electrode materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and charge–discharge experiment. The part substitution of rare-earth element RE for Mn in LiMn₂O₄ decreases the lattice parameter, resulting in the improvement of structural stability, and decreases the charge transfer resistance during the electrochemical process of LiMn₂O₄. As a result, the cycle ability, 55 °C high-temperature and high-rate performances of LiMn_2−x RE _x O₄ electrode materials are significantly improved with increasing RE addition, compared to the pristine LiMn₂O₄.     

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。     

Scale up and Application of Biosurfactant from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus subtilis</Emphasis> in Enhanced Oil Recovery

There is a lack of fundamental knowledge about the scale up of biosurfactant production. In order to develop suitable technology of commercialization, carrying out tests in shake flasks and bioreactors was essential. A reactor with integrated foam collector was designed for biosurfactant production using Bacillus subtilis isolated from agricultural soil. The yield of biosurfactant on biomass (Y _p/x), biosurfactant on sucrose (Y _p/s), and the volumetric production rate (Y) for shake flask were obtained about 0.45 g g⁻¹, 0.18 g g⁻¹, and 0.03 g l⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively. The best condition for bioreactor was 300 rpm and 1.5 vvm, giving Y _x/s, Y _p/x, Y _p/s, and Y of 0.42 g g⁻¹, 0.595 g g⁻¹, 0.25 g g⁻¹, and 0.057 g l⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively. The biosurfactant maximum production, 2.5 g l⁻¹, was reached in 44 h of growth, which was 28% better than the shake flask. The obtained volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient (K _L a) values at optimum conditions in the shake flask and the bioreactor were found to be around 0.01 and 0.0117 s⁻¹, respectively. Comparison of K _L a values at optimum conditions shows that biosurfactant production scaling up from shake flask to bioreactor can be done with K _L a as scale up criterion very accurately. Nearly 8% of original oil in place was recovered using this biosurfactant after water flooding in the sand pack.     

The improvement of the high-rate charge/discharge performances of LiFePO4 cathode material by Sn doping

Nanocrystalline LiFePO₄ and LiFe_0.97Sn_0.03PO₄ cathode materials were synthesized by an inorganic-based sol–gel route. The physicochemical properties of samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and elemental mapping. The doping effect of Sn on the electrochemical performance of LiFePO₄ cathode material was extensively investigated. The results showed that the doping of tin was beneficial to refine the particle size, increase the electrical conductivity, and facilitate the lithium-ion diffusion, which contributed to the improvement of the electrochemical properties of LiFePO₄, especially the high-rate charge/discharge performance. At the low discharge rate of 0.5 C, the LiFe_0.97Sn_0.03PO₄ sample delivered a specific capacity of 158 mAh g⁻¹, as compared with 147 mAh g⁻¹ of the pristine LiFePO₄. At higher C-rate, the doping sample exhibited more excellent discharge performance. LiFe_0.97Sn_0.03PO₄ delivered specific capacity of 146 and 128 mAh g⁻¹ at 5 C and 10 C, respectively, in comparison with 119 and 107 mAh g⁻¹ for LiFePO₄. Moreover, the doping of Sn did not influence the cycle capability, even at 10 C.     

Low-temperature behavior of Li3V2(PO4)3/C as cathode material for lithium ion batteries

The electrochemical performance of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C was investigated at various low temperatures in the electrolyte 1.0 mol dm⁻³ LiPF₆/ethyl carbonate (EC)+diethyl carbonate (DEC)+dimethyl carbonate (DMC) (volume ratio 1:1:1). The stable specific discharge capacity is 125.4, 122.6, 119.3, 116.6, 111.4, and 105.7 mAh g⁻¹ at 26, 10, 0, −10, −20, and −30 °C, respectively, in the voltage range of 2.3–4.5 V at 0.2 C rate. When the temperature decreases from −30 to −40 °C, there is a rapid decline in the capacity from 105.7 to 69.5 mAh g⁻¹, implying that there is a nonlinear relationship between the performance and temperature. With temperature decreasing, R _ct (corresponding to charge transfer resistance) increases rapidly, D (the lithium ion diffusion coefficients) decreases sharply, and the performance of electrolyte degenerates obviously, illustrating that the low-temperature electrochemical performance of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C is mainly limited by R _ct, D _Li, and electrolyte.     

Improved properties of polymer electrolyte by ionic liquid PP1.3TFSI for secondary lithium ion battery

A new kind of polymer electrolyte is prepared from N-methyl-N-propylpiperidinium bis (trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide (PP1.3TFSI), polyethylene oxide (PEO), and lithium bis (trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide (LiTFSI). IR and X-ray diffraction results demonstrate that the addition of ionic liquid decreases the crystallization of PEO. Thermal and electrochemical properties have been tested for the solid polymer electrolytes, the addition of the room temperature molten salt PP1.3TFSI to the conventional P(EO)₂₀LiTFSI polymer electrolyte leads to the improvement of the thermal stability and the ionic conductivity (x = 1.27, 2.06 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature), and the reasonable lithium transference number is also obtained. The Li/LiFePO₄ cell using this polymer electrolyte shows promising reversible capacity, 120 mAh g⁻¹ at room temperature and 164 mAh g⁻¹ at 55 °C.