Sol–gel synthesis of sodium and lithium based materials

Sodium and lithium cobaltates are important materials for thermoelectric and battery applications due to their large thermoelectric power and ability to (de-) intercalate the alkali metal. For these applications, phase pure materials with controlled microstructure are required. We report on the sol?Cgel synthesis of sodium- and lithium-based materials by using acetate precursors. The produced Na_2/3CoO₂, Li(Ni_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3)O₂, and Li(Ni_1/2Co_1/2)O₂ powders are phase pure with grain sizes below 1???m. X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive spectral analyses show that the cation stoichiometry is preserved in the lithium-based compounds. Despite the low temperatures, the sodium content is reduced by 1/3 as compared to the initial value. Chemical phases of the investigated powders are formed in the sol?Cgel route at temperatures typically 100?C200?K lower than those used in the conventional solid-state synthesis of these materials. The suggested sol?Cgel synthesis is a low temperature process suited for production of phase pure and homogeneous materials with volatile cations.     

Electrode materials for aqueous rechargeable lithium batteries

In this review, we describe briefly the historical development of aqueous rechargeable lithium batteries, the advantages and challenges associated with the use of aqueous electrolytes in lithium rechargeable battery with an emphasis on the electrochemical performance of various electrode materials. The following materials have been studied as cathode materials: LiMn₂O₄, MnO₂, LiNiO₂, LiCoO₂, LiMnPO₄, LiFePO₄, and anatase TiO₂. Addition of certain additives like TiS₂, TiB₂, CeO₂, etc. is found to increase the performance of MnO₂ cathode. The following materials have been studied as anode materials: VO₂ (B), LiV₃O₈, LiV₂O₅, LiTi₂(PO4)₃, TiP₂O₃, and very recently conducting polymer, polypyrrole (PPy). The cell PPy/LiCoO₂, constructed using polypyrrole as anode delivers an average voltage of 0.86?V with a discharge capacity of 47.7?mA?h?g^?1. It retains the capacity for first 120 cycles. The cell, LiTi₂(PO₄)₃/1?M Li₂SO₄/LiMn₂O₄, delivers a capacity of 40?mA?h?g^?1 and specific energy of 60?mW?h?g^?1 with an output voltage of 1.5?V over 200 charge?Cdischarge cycles. An aqueous lithium cell constructed using MWCNTs/LiMn₂O₄ as cathode material is found to exhibit more than 1,000 cycles with good rate capability.     

Visualizing Lithium‐Ion Migration Pathways in Battery Materials

The understanding of lithium‐ion migration through the bulk crystal structure is crucial in the search for novel battery materials with improved properties for lithium‐ion conduction. In this paper, procrystal calculations are introduced as a fast, intuitive way of mapping possible migration pathways, and the method is applied to a broad range of lithium‐containing materials, including the well‐known battery cathode materials LiCoO₂, LiMn₂O₄, and LiFePO₄. The outcome is compared with both experimental and theoretical studies, as well as the bond valence site energy approach, and the results show that the method is not only a strong, qualitative visualization tool, but also provides a quantitative measure of electron‐density thresholds for migration, which are correlated with theoretically obtained activation energies. In the future, the method may be used to guide experimental and theoretical research towards materials with potentially high ionic conductivity, reducing the time spent investigating nonpromising materials with advanced theoretical methods.     

An aqueous rechargeable lithium-ion battery based on LiCoO2 nanoparticles cathode and LiV3O8 nanosheets anode

Nanoparticles of lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO₂) and nanosheets of lithium vanadium oxide (LiV₃O₈) were synthesized by a citrate sol–gel combustion route. The physical characterizations of the electrodic materials were carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and also X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. Near spherical nanoparticles of ≈100 nm and compact nanosheets with a few nanometers thick were observed by SEM and TEM for LiCoO₂ and LiV₃O₈, respectively. XRD data indicated that the as-prepared active materials presented pure phase of rhombohedral LiCoO₂ with R-3m symmetry and monoclinic LiV₃O₈ with p2₁/m symmetry. The kinetics of electrochemical intercalation of lithium ion into the nanoparticles of LiCoO₂ and nanosheets of LiV₃O₈ from 1.0 mol l⁻¹ LiNO₃ aqueous solution were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. An aqueous rechargeable lithium-ion battery consisting of LiCoO₂ nanoparticles as positive and LiV₃O₈ nanosheets as negative electrode was assembled. This battery represented a discharge voltage of about 1 V with good cycling performance.     

Effect of synthesis temperature and molar ratio of organic lithium salts on the properties and electrochemical performance of LiFePO4/C composites

LiFePO₄/C cathode materials were synthesized through in situ solid-state reaction route using Fe₂O₃, NH₄H₂PO₄, Li₂C₂O₄, and lithium polyacrylate as raw materials. The precursor of LiFePO₄/C was investigated by thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis. The effects of synthesis temperature and molar ratio of organic lithium salts on the performance of samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectra, cyclic voltammogram, and constant current charge/discharge test. The sample prepared at optimized conditions of synthesis temperature at 700 °C and molar ratio with 1.17:1 exhibits excellent rate performance and cycling stability at room temperature.     

溶胶-凝胶法制备Li3V2(PO4)3及其性能研究

0引言具有类NASICON结构的Li3V2(PO4)3是继过渡金属氧化物LMO后的一种新型的锂离子二次电池正极材料。与目前市场上应用最为广泛的正极材料LiCoO2相比,Li3V2(PO4)3具有超常的稳定性,即使在脱出的Li 与过渡金属原子的物质的量之比大于1的时候仍然具有超乎寻常的稳定性,而通常情况下1mol LiCoO2在脱出0.5mol Li 就会变得不稳定。并且Co是一种战略物资,全球储量十分有限;Co也是一种有毒金属,对于环境污染较为严重。LiNiO2因其合成较为困难而使应用受限,尖晶石LiMn2O4虽然属于环境友好型化合物,但其理论比容量仅为148mAh·g-1,且…     

Steady-state polarization measurements of lithium insertion electrodes for high-power lithium-ion batteries

Steady-state polarization measurements of lithium titanium oxide (LTO; Li[Li_1/3Ti_5/3]O₄) were carried out using the 0-V lithium-ion cells consisting of two identical LTO-electrodes with a parallel-plate symmetrical electrode configuration. The sinusoidal voltage with the peak amplitude of 1.0 V was imposed at 0.1 Hz upon the 0-V cells and the current response was measured as a function of time. The steady-state polarization, obtained by plotting the current versus applied voltage, was linear in current up to approximately 60 mA cm^?2 or 4 A g^?1 based on the LTO weight and suggested the resistance polarization only for the lithium insertion electrode of the LTO. The method was also applied to lithium aluminum manganese oxide (LAMO; Li[Li_0.1Al_0.1Mn_1.8]O₄) and the resistance polarization of the LAMO-electrode was determined for currents up to approximately 25 mA cm^?2 or 2 A g^?1 based on the LAMO weight. The validity of the results was examined for the polarization measurements of the 2.5-V lithium-ion battery consisting of LTO and LAMO, and the significance of the polarization measurements of lithium insertion electrodes for high-power applications was discussed.     

An Approach towards Synthesis of Nanoarchitectured LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 Cathode Material for Lithium Ion Batteries

To explore advanced cathode materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs), a nanoarchitectured LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ (LNCM) material is developed using a modified carbonate coprecipitation method in combination with a vacuum distillation‐crystallisation process. Compared with the LNCM materials produced by a traditional carbonate coprecipitation method, the prepared LNCM material synthesized through this modified method reveals a better hexagonal layered structure, smaller particle sizes (ca. 110.5 nm), and higher specific surface areas. Because of its unique structural characteristics, the as‐prepared LNCM material demonstrates excellent electrochemical properties including high rate capability and good cycleability when it is utilized as a cathode in the lithium ion battery (LIB).     

Interpretation of the vibrational spectra of nitramines on the basis ofab initio calculations

It is shown that, unlike conventional methods of vibrational spectroscopy, the use ofab initia harmonic force fields, IR and Raman intensities, and depolarizations makes possible a rigorous interpretation of the experimental spectra of the simplest aliphatic nitramines (CH₃)₂NNO₂, CH₃NHNO₂, H₂NNO₂, and their isotopomers. The scale factors, which were introduced for each compound to remove the systematic errors of the SCF MO LCAO calculation by fitting the parameters to the observed frequencies, were mutually adjusted during the solution of the inverse vibrational problem. The set of transferable scale factors established in this work can be used directly to analyze spectra of larger molecules. Some common patterns of the force fields and vibrational spectra of nitramines are discussed.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya No. 12, pp. 2106–2117, December, 1994.The authors are grateful to the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Project No. 93-03-4410) and to the Robert A. Welch Foundation for financial support of the parts of this work performed at the Department of Chemistry of Moscow State University and at the University of Texas at Austin, USA. The authors also acknowledge the support by the Scientific Technical Program Universities of Russia.     

Comparison of corn starch-assisted sol–gel and combustion methods to prepare LiMn x Co y Ni z O2 compounds

In a novel attempt to exploit corn starch as gelling agent (in sol–gel method) and combustible fuel (in solution-assisted combustion method), high-capacity LiMn_0.4Ni_0.4Co_0.2O₂ and LiMn_1/3Ni_1/3Co_1/3O₂ cathode materials have been prepared and a comparison of electrochemical performance of the same has been made. Among the two compounds chosen for the study, LiMn_1/3Ni_1/3Co_1/3O₂ exhibits better physical and electrochemical properties. Particularly, LiMn_1/3Ni_1/3Co_1/3O₂ cathode synthesized using corn starch-assisted combustion method exhibits an appreciable capacity of 176 mAh g^?1, excellent capacity retention of 93 % up to 100 cycles and susceptible to rate capability test up to 1 C rate, thus qualifying the same for high-capacity and high-rate lithium battery applications. The study demonstrates the possibility of exploiting corn starch as gelling agent and as a combustible fuel in synthesizing lithium intercalating oxide compounds with improved electrochemical behaviour.     

A Long‐Life Lithium Ion Battery with Enhanced Electrode/Electrolyte Interface by Using an Ionic Liquid Solution

In this paper, we report an advanced long‐life lithium ion battery, employing a Pyr₁₄TFSI‐LiTFSI non‐flammable ionic liquid (IL) electrolyte, a nanostructured tin carbon (Sn‐C) nanocomposite anode, and a layered LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ (NMC) cathode. The IL‐based electrolyte is characterized in terms of conductivity and viscosity at various temperatures, revealing a Vogel–Tammann–Fulcher (VTF) trend. Lithium half‐cells employing the Sn‐C anode and NMC cathode in the Pyr₁₄TFSI‐LiTFSI electrolyte are investigated by galvanostatic cycling at various temperatures, demonstrating the full compatibility of the electrolyte with the selected electrode materials. The NMC and Sn‐C electrodes are combined into a cathode‐limited full cell, which is subjected to prolonged cycling at 40 °C, revealing a very stable capacity of about 140 mAh g^?1 and retention above 99 % over 400 cycles. The electrode/electrolyte interface is further characterized through a combination of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations upon cell cycling. The remarkable performances reported here definitively indicate that IL‐based lithium ion cells are suitable batteries for application in electric vehicles.     

Low Temperature Hydrothermal Synthesis of MnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Nanoclusters as Positive Material of RAM Batteries

MnO₂ nanoclusters were synthesized by a low temperature hydrothermal method. In the presented procedure, MnO₂ was precipitated by oxidation of manganese sulfate solution upon addition of ammonium persulfate solution. The synthesized sample was characterized by SEM and XRD. Optimized nanoclusters with needle diameters of 30 nm were synthesized by mixing of manganese sulfate solution (0.8 M) with ammonium persulfate solution (0.7 M) in sulfuric acid media (0.8 M) at constant temperature of 80 °C. Effect of solid state lithium sulfate treatment on the phase composition, particle size and morphology of the obtained MnO₂ nanoclusters was studied at different temperatures. The obtained results showed that lithium salt can changes MnO₂ nanoclusters morphology without any intercalation. Discharge capacity and cycle life of the synthesized MnO₂ nanoclusters as positive materials of RAM battery (Zn–MnO₂ battery), before and after treatment with lithium sulfate were studied. MnO₂ nanopowder showed average discharge capacity of 190 mA.h/g (with respect to MnO₂ weight) during 3 first discharges. Lithium sulfate-treated powder showed higher discharge capacity (160 mA.h/g) and shorter cycle life than the untreated powder.     

Environmentally compatible dimethyl sulfoxide: an alternative to N-methylpyrrolidone for electrochemical performance of recycled LiMn1/3Ni1/3Co1/3O2 in lithium-ion battery

The effect of recycling and doping LiMn_1/3Ni_1/3Co_1/3O₂ of lithium-ion battery with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) instead of N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) on the electrochemical performance of the battery has been investigated for the first time. Observation shows that preparing the cathode active materials with dimethyl sulfoxide will increase the conductivity of the battery. The results show that the as-recovered LiMn_1/3Ni_1/3Co_1/3O₂ modified with LiOH · H₂O calcined at 450°C delivers discharge capacities of about 247 mA h g^?1 in the first cycle with discharge efficiency of 83.1% in sample doped with dimethyl sulfoxide, and 189 mA h g^?1 with discharge efficiency of 82.7% in N-methylpyrrolidone at the rate of 0.2 C. The asrecovered samples calcined at 800 and 850°C deliver 149 and 217 mA h g^?1 in the fourth cycles respectively in dimethyl sulfoxide. The capacity loss observed in dimethyl sulfoxide faded with increase in cycle numbers. In general, for the samples doped with dimethyl sulfoxide, better performances were evident with high discharge capacities in powders calcined at a lower temperature than higher temperature in accordance with particle sizes shown by the SEM images. On the basis of better cyclic performance of lithium metal cathode and environmental safety, it is evident that relatively cheap dimethyl sulfoxide could replace N-methylpyrrolidone in battery formulations. The X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that LiMn_1/3Ni_1/3Co_1/3O₂ was successfully recycled by dimethyl sulfoxide.     

Structural and electrochemical characterization of polyaniline/LiCoO2 nanocomposites prepared via a Pickering emulsion

Polyaniline (PANI)/LiCoO₂ nanocomposite materials are successfully ready through a solid-stabilized emulsion (Pickering emulsion) route. The properties of nanocomposite materials have been put to the test because of their possible relevance to electrodes of lithium batteries. Such nanocomposite materials appear thanks to the polymerization of aniline in Pickering emulsion stabilized with LiCoO₂ particles. PANI has been produced through oxidative polymerization of aniline and ammonium persulfate in HCl solution. The nanocomposite materials of PANI/LiCoO₂ could be formed with low amounts of PANI. The morphology of PANI/LiCoO₂ nanocomposite materials shows nanofibers and round-shape-like morphology. It was found that the morphology of the resulting nanocomposites depended on the amount of LiCoO₂ used in the reaction system. Ammonium persulfate caused the loss of lithium from LiCoO₂ when it was used at high concentration in the polymerization recipe. Highly resolved splitting of 006/102 and 108/110 peaks in the XRD pattern provide evidence to well-ordered layered structure of the PANI/LiCoO₂ nanocomposite materials with high LiCoO₂ content. The ratios of the intensities of 003 and 104 peaks were found to be higher than 1.2 indicating no pronounced mixing of the lithium and cobalt cations. The electrochemical reactivity of PANI/LiCoO₂ nanocomposites as positive electrode in a lithium battery was examined during lithium ion deinsertion and insertion by galvanostatic charge–discharge testing; PANI/LiCoO₂ nanocomposite materials exhibited better electrochemical performance by increasing the reaction reversibility and capacity compared to that of the pristine LiCoO₂ cathode. The best advancement has been observed for the PANI/LiCoO₂ nanocomposite 5 wt.% of aniline.     

Electrochemical behavior of spherical LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 as cathode material for aqueous rechargeable lithium batteries

Spherical LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ powders have been synthesized from co-precipitated spherical metal hydroxide. The electrochemical performances of the LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ electrodes in 1 M LiNO₃, 5 M LiNO₃, and saturated LiNO₃ aqueous electrolytes have been studied using cyclic voltammetry and ac impedance tests in this work. The results show that LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ electrode in saturated LiNO₃ electrolyte exhibits the best electrochemical performance. An aqueous rechargeable lithium battery containing LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ cathode, LiV_2.9Ni_0.050Mn_0.050O₈ anode, and saturated LiNO₃ electrolyte is fabricated. The battery delivers an initial capacity of 98.2 mAh g⁻¹ and keeps a capacity of 63.9 mAh g⁻¹ after 50 cycles at a rate of 0.5 C (278 mA g⁻¹ was assumed to be 1 C rate).     

花瓣状微球MoS2/石墨烯复合材料的制备及其电化学性能

采用有利于二维层状结构形成的L-半胱氨酸作为硫源,钼酸钠作为钼源,制备聚乙烯基吡咯烷酮（PVP）辅助水热合成花瓣状微球形貌的MoS₂/还原氧化石墨烯复合电极材料（PVP-MoS₂/RGO）. X射线衍射（XRD）及透射电子显微镜（TEM）证实,经过PVP的适量添加,MoS₂有序堆垛结构的片层数目明显减少. 扫描电子显微镜（SEM）显示,添加适量PVP的MoS₂/石墨烯材料具有分散性更好的花瓣状微球形貌. 上述的少层有序堆垛结构及复合材料的良好分散性缩短了MoS₂中锂离子的嵌入/脱出路径,使其具有更高的容量、循环稳定性和倍率性能.     

Facile Preparation and Lithium Storage Properties of TiO2@Graphene Composite Electrodes with Low Carbon Content

Over the past decade, TiO₂/graphene composites as electrodes for lithium ion batteries have attracted a great deal of attention for reasons of safety and environmental friendliness. However, most of the TiO₂/graphene electrodes have large graphene content (9–40 %), which is bound to increase the cost of the battery. Logically, reducing the amount of graphene is a necessary part to achieve a green battery. The synthesis of TiO₂ nanosheets under solvothermal conditions without additives is now demonstrated. Through mechanical mixing TiO₂ nanosheets with different amount of reduced graphene (rGO), a series of TiO₂@graphene composites was prepared with low graphene content (rGO content 1, 2, 3, and 5 wt %). When these composites were evaluated as anodes for lithium ion batteries, it was found that TiO₂+3 wt % rGO manifested excellent cycling stability and a high specific capacity (243.7 mAh g^?1 at 1 C; 1 C=167.5 mA g^?1), and demonstrated superior high‐rate discharge/charge capability at 20 C.     

New lithium salts in electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries (Review)

The properties of electrolyte systems based on standard nonaqueous solvent composed of a mixture of dialkyl and alkylene carbonates and new commercially available lithium salts potentially capable of being an alternative to thermally unstable and chemically active lithium hexafluorophosphate LiPF₆ in the mass production of lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are surveyed. The advantages and drawbacks of electrolytes containing lithium salts alternative to LiPF₆ are discussed. The real prospects of substitution for LiPF₆ in electrolyte solutions aimed at improving the functional characteristics of lithium-ion batteries are assessed. Special attention is drawn to the efficient use of new lithium salts in the cells with electrodes based on materials predominantly used in the current mass production of lithium-ion batteries: grafitic carbon (negative electrode), LiCoO₂, LiMn₂O₄, LiFePO₄, and also solid solutions isostructural to lithium cobaltate with the general composition LiMO₂ (M = Co, Mn, Ni, Al) (positive electrode).     

An Unexpected New Member of the Family of Lithium Oxonitridosilicates – Li7Si2NO6

With Li₇Si₂NO₆, a new member of the family of lithium oxonitridosilicates with a so far unseen structure type could be synthesized. Using a high-temperature solid-state reaction in open nickel crucibles under nitrogen flow, it was possible to obtain single crystals from the starting materials SiO₂, Li₃N, and Li₂O at temperatures of 900 °C. Single crystal X-ray diffraction data yielded lattice parameters of a=5.0934(2), b=7.4128(2), c=8.5918(2) Å, α=75.16(1)°, β=87.36(1)°, γ=73.01(1)° and a cell volume of V=299.75(2) ų. The compound, crystallizing in the triclinic space group P (no. 2), consists of a highly condensed anionic network built up by [SiNO₃]-, [LiO₄]-, and [LiN₂O₂]-tetrahedra as well as lithium in octahedral coordination as completing cation. With an activation barrier of 695 meV for lithium migration, Li₇Si₂NO₆ is a potential lithium-ion conductor. The structure allows a classification not only as a sorosilicate but also as a tecto-lithosilicate and most precisely as a lithium oxonitridolithosilicate, when the different coordinations of the lithium ions are taken into account. Interestingly, the new compound is none of the several proposed representatives of the lithium oxonitridosilicates, thus expanding this substance class unexpectedly.     

Li2MTi6O14 (M=Sr,Ba): new anodes for lithium-ion batteries

Isostructural Li₂MTi₆O₁₄ (M=Sr, Ba) materials, prepared by a solid state reaction method, have been investigated as insertion electrodes for lithium battery applications. These titanate compounds have a structure that consists of a three-dimensional network of corner- and edge-shared [TiO₆] octahedra, 11-coordinate polyhedra for the alkali-earth ions, and [LiO₄] tetrahedra in tunnels that also contain vacant tetrahedral and octahedral sites. Electrochemical data show that these compounds are capable of reversibly intercalating four lithium atoms in a three-stage process between 1.4 and 0.5 V vs. metallic lithium. The electrodes provide a practical capacity of approximately 140 mAh/g; they are, therefore, possible alternative anode materials to the lithium titanate spinel, Li₄Ti₅O₁₂. The lithium intercalation mechanism and crystal structure of Li₂MTi₆O₁₄ (M=Sr, Ba) electrodes are discussed and compared with the electrochemical and structural properties of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂. The area-specific impedance (ASI) of Li/Li₂SrTi₆O₁₄ cells was found to be significantly lower than that of Li/Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ cells.