Comparison of the electrochemical properties of metallic layered nitrides containing cobalt,nickel and copper in the 1 V–0.02 V potential range

We report the first example of an intercalation compound based on the nitrogen framework in which lithium can be intercalated and deintercalated. A comparison of the structural and electrochemical properties of the ternary lithium cobalt, nickel and copper nitrides is performed. Vacancy layered structures of ternary lithium nitridocobaltates Li_3−2xCo_xN and nitridonickelates Li_3−2xNi_xN with 0.10 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.44 and 0.20 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.60, respectively, are proved to reversibly intercalate Li ions in the 1 V–0.02 V potential range. These host lattices can accommodate up to 0.35 Li ion par mole of nitride. Results herein obtained support Li insertion in vacancies located in Li₂N⁻ layers while interlayer divalent cobalt and nickel cations are reduced to monovalent species. No structural strain is induced by the insertion–extraction electrochemical reaction which explains the high stability of the capacity in both cases. For the Li_1.86Ni_0.57N compound, a stable faradaic yield of 0.30 F/mol, i.e. 130 mAh/g, is maintained at least for 100 cycles. Conversely, the ternary copper nitrides corresponding to the chemical composition Li_3−xCu_xN with 0.10 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.40 do not allow the insertion reaction to take place due to the presence of monovalent copper combined with the lack of vacancies to accommodate Li ions. In the latter case, the discharge of the lithium copper nitrides is not reversible.     

Layered xLiMO2·(1−x)Li2M′O3 electrodes for lithium batteries: a study of 0.95LiMn0.5Ni0.5O2·0.05Li2TiO3

The electrochemical properties of 0.95LiMn_0.5Ni_0.5O₂·0.05Li₂TiO₃ have been investigated as part of a study of xLiMO₂·(1−x)Li₂M^′O₃ electrode systems for lithium batteries in which M=Co, Ni, Mn and M^′=Ti, Zr, Mn. The data indicate that the electrochemically inactive Li₂TiO₃ component contributes to the stabilization of LiMn_0.5Ni_0.5O₂ electrodes, which improves the coulombic efficiency of Li/xLiMn_0.5Ni_0.5O₂·(1−x)Li₂TiO₃ cells for x<1. The 0.95LiMn_0.5Ni_0.5O₂·0.05Li₂TiO₃ electrodes provide a rechargeable capacity of approximately 175 mAh/g at 50 °C when cycled between 4.6 and 2.5 V; there is no indication of spinel formation during electrochemical cycling.     

Effect of the high pressure on the structure and intercalation properties of lithium-nickel-manganese oxides

Lithium-nickel-manganese oxides (Li_1+x(Ni_1/2Mn_1/2)_1−xO₂, x=0 and 0.2), having different cationic distributions and an oxidation state of Ni varying from 2+ to 3+, were formed under a high-pressure (3 GPa). The structure and cationic distribution in these oxides were examined by powder X-ray diffraction, infrared (IR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) in X-band (9.23 GHz) and at higher frequencies (95 and 285 GHz). Under a high pressure, a solid-state reaction between NiMnO₃ and Li₂O yields LiNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂ with a disordered rock-salt type structure. The paramagnetic ions stabilized in this oxide are mainly Ni²⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ together with Mn³⁺ (about 10%). The replacement of Li₂O by Li₂O₂ permits increasing the oxidation state of Ni ions in lithium-nickel-manganese oxides. The higher oxidation state of Ni ions favours the stabilization of the layered modification, where the Ni-to-Mn ratio is preserved: Li(Li_0.2Ni_0.4Mn_0.4)O₂. The paramagnetic ions stabilized in the layered oxide are mainly Ni³⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ ions. The disordered and ordered phases display different intercalation properties in respect of lithium. The changes in local Ni,Mn-environment during the electrochemical reaction are discussed on the basis of EPR and IR spectroscopy.     

Cu3V2O8 Nanoparticles as Intercalation‐Type Anode Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Cu₃V₂O₈ nanoparticles with particle sizes of 40–50 nm have been prepared by the co‐precipitation method. The Cu₃V₂O₈ electrode delivers a discharge capacity of 462 mA h g^?1 for the first 10 cycles and then the specific capacity, surprisingly, increases to 773 mA h g^?1 after 50 cycles, possibly as a result of extra lithium interfacial storage through the reversible formation/decomposition of a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film. In addition, the electrode shows good rate capability with discharge capacities of 218 mA h g^?1 under current densities of 1000 mA g^?1. Moreover, the lithium storage mechanism for Cu₃V₂O₈ nanoparticles is explained on the basis of ex situ X‐ray diffraction data and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy analyses at different charge/discharge depths. It was evidenced that Cu₃V₂O₈ decomposes into copper metal and Li₃VO₄ on being initially discharged to 0.01 V, and the Li₃VO₄ is then likely to act as the host for lithium ions in subsequent cycles by means of the intercalation mechanism. Such an “in situ” compositing phenomenon during the electrochemical processes is novel and provides a very useful insight into the design of new anode materials for application in lithium‐ion batteries.     

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.     

Intermediate phases during alkali metal intercalation in HfNCl

The mechanism of the chemical and electrochemical alkali metal intercalation reactions in β-HfNCl has been investigated through electrochemical potential spectroscopy (EPS), in-situ powder X-ray diffraction during electrochemical intercalation and room temperature chemical intercalation experiments. EPS experiments in lithium cells reveal the presence of a plateau, at 1.8 V vs. Li⁺/Li⁰ accounting for ca. 0.14 mol Li, that indicates the formation of a new intermediate phase, and then a gradual decrease of potential with composition that extends up to very high lithium contents (ca. 1.1 per formula), consistent with the formation of a solid solution. Sodium electrochemical intercalation experiments showed a relatively similar behaviour with a plateau at 1.4 V vs. Na⁺/Na⁰, corresponding to ca. 1.7 V vs. Li⁺/Li⁰. In-situ monitored powder X-ray diffraction electrochemical intercalation experiments showed that the electrolyte solvent (ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate, EC/DMC or propylene carbonate, PC) co-intercalated with the alkaline atom. This leads to a large expansion of the interlayer spacing that reaches a value of 21.06 Å in the lithium co-intercalated phase with EC/DMC, Li_x(EC/DMC)_yHfNCl, and 22.01 Å in the sodium co-intercalated phase with PC, Na_x(PC)_yHfNCl. Chemical intercalation using naphthyl-sodium solutions in tetrahydrofuran (THF) leads to solvent-free, multiple-phase samples showing in different proportions the pristine and the superconducting stage 2 and stage 1 phases. The composition of the intercalated samples depends on the pristine sample, the concentration of the naphthyl-sodium solution, the ratio Na:HfNCl and the reaction time. Pristine samples exhibiting low lithium intercalation degree upon electrochemical reduction gave the second stage as the major phase when treated with short reaction times or using low Na:HfNCl ratios, coexisting either with the host or with the first stage phase, whereas stage 1 is obtained as the major phase from pristine samples showing high electrochemical capacities. The staging behaviour and the multiphase nature of these samples account for the wide superconducting transitions and the different critical temperatures observed in these superconductors.     

Li2CuTi3O8–Li4Ti5O12 double spinel anode material with improved rate performance for Li-ion batteries

Ti-based anode materials with the nominal compositions Li₄Ti₅Cu_xO_12 + x (x = 0, 0.075, 0.15, 0.3, 0.6, 1.20 and 1.67) were synthesized at 800 °C by a solid-state reaction process. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the sintered samples were composed of intergrown spinel-type Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ and Li₂CuTi₃O₈, and a small amount of Li₂O. Scanning electron microscopy, electrical resistance measurement and galvanostatic cell cycling were also employed to characterize the structure and properties of the double spinel samples. It is proposed that the first lithiation of the component Li₂CuTi₃O₈ leads to the in situ production of Cu that can significantly improve the rate performance of Li₄Ti₅Cu_xO_12 + x. The optimal nominal composition is Li₄Ti₅Cu_0.15O_12.15.     

Determination of diffusion coefficient of lithium in LiMyMn2 ? yO4 spinels using galvanostatic intermittent titration technique

The galvanostatic intermittent titration technique is used to study lithium transport in the LiM _y Mn_{2 − y} O₄ compounds with a spinel structure intended for application as cathodic materials in lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries. Equilibrium intercalation isotherms of the Li _x Mn₂O₄ and Li _x Mn_1.95Cr_0.05O₄ compounds and also their diffusion characteristics are determined at 25°C as dependent on lithium content x, 0 < x < 1. The diffusion coefficient of lithium varies in a complex way in the range of 10⁻¹⁰ to 10⁻¹² cm²/s under variation of the electrode composition.     

Effects of heteroatoms on doped LiFePO4/C composites

A series of supervalent cation doped Li_1–x M_0.01Fe_0.99PO₄/C composites (M?=?Ti, Zr, V, Nb, and W) were synthesized by solid-state reaction. The effects of the heteroatoms were studied by X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance measurement. After doping, the lattice structure of LiFePO₄ is not destroyed and the reversibility of lithium ion intercalation and deintercalation is improved. The diffusion coefficient of lithium ions depends on the radius of the heteroatoms. As the radius of the heteroatom is larger, the diffusion coefficient increases.     

Variation of the composition and properties of lithium manganese oxide spinel in lithiation-delithiation cycles

The behavior of the variable-composition spinel Li_{1 + x} Mn_{2 ? x} O₄ is examined in repeated cycles consisting of lithiation in 0.2 M LiOH and delithiation in 0.3 M HNO₃. For 0 < x < 0.33, delithiation is accompanied by the redox reaction 2Mn³⁺ → Mn⁴⁺ + Mn²⁺ and Li⁺ ? H⁺ ion exchange. The spinel undergoes partial conversion into λ-□MnO₂. Vacancies (□) build up at the 8a sites of the spinel structure. Mn²⁺ ions pass into the solution, and, accordingly, the spinel dissolves. Lithiation is accompanied by the redox reaction 4Mn⁴⁺ → 3Mn³⁺ + Mn⁷⁺ and ion exchange, and the proportion of vacancies □ at the 8a sites of the spinel structure decreases. The spinel undergoes partial dissolution because of Mn²⁺ and MnO _? ⁴ ions passing into the solution. The Li⁺ selectivity of the spinel is the property of the crystallite core. The crystallite surface is capable of sorbing Na⁺ ions.     

Electrochemical intercalation reaction of lithium into sulfides of nonlayer structure: I. Lithium intercalation in lead sulfide

The reaction mechanism of cell Li/PbS has been studied with coulombic titration, cyclic voltammetry and X-ray diffraction methods. It was found that in the first stage of discharge (0< y ≤1.5), the intercalation of lithium into lead sulfide took place. The X-ray diffraction patterns showed that the main crystalline structure of PbS remained unchanged after lithiation, and the lithium intercalated probably locates in the center of the cubic-interspace of the crystal. The intercalation free energy of Li into PbS forming LiPbS was found to be ?300.48 KJ·mol^?1 (at 25°C). The chemical diffusion coefficient of lithium in Li_yPbS (0<y≤1) was determined by electrochemical method to be about 10^?11 cm²S-1.     

Structural refinement of delithiated LiVO2 by neutron diffraction

Lithium has been extracted from the layered compound LiVO₂ by chemical oxidation with bromine. Previous X-ray data have shown that in Li_1−xVO₂ lithium extraction beyond x ≈ 0.33 is accompanied by migration of one-third of the vanadium ions into the lithium-deficient layer to stabilize the structure; little information about the location of the lithium ions could be gathered from this data. The neutron diffraction data presented in this paper show that at a composition Li_0.22VO₂, determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy, the residual lithium ions are distributed over the octahedral sites of the original lithium layer; the possibility that a small fraction of the lithium ions partially occupy the tetrahedral sites in this layer cannot be discounted. No significant occupation by lithium of the tetrahedral or octahedral vacancies in the vanadium-rich layer could be detected.     

Thermodynamics and kinetics of electrochemical Li+ intercalation in pyrophyllite

The possibility of directly using the natural mineral pyrophyllite for the efficient generation of Li⁺ intercalation current is demonstrated experimentally. The dependences of changes in the Gibbs energy and the entropy of the intercalation reaction on the degree of the guest lithium load are analyzed. A distinctive feature of the intercalation kinetics in Li _x Al₂(OH)₂[Si₂O₅]₂ is the anomalously high diffusion coefficients of lithium cations at x > 0.3.     

Electrochemical properties and state of paramagnetic centers in copper-modified complex vanadium and titanium oxides

Complex vanadium and titanium oxides modified by copper ions are studied by the electrochemical and ESR methods. Oxides Cu _x V_2?y Ti _y O_5?δ·nH₂O (0<y<1.33) have a layered structure and oxides Cu _x Ti_1?y V _y O_5+δ·nH₂O (0<y<0.25), an anatase structure. The intercalation of cations Cu²⁺ into the hydrates leads to oxidation of V⁴⁺. According to ESR data, V⁴⁺ exists in the oxides in the form of VO²⁺ and an octahedral surround of oxygen (V⁴⁺?O₆), respectively. The electroreduction of ions of d-elements and chemisorbed oxygen in the oxides is analyzed. The intercalation of cations Cu²⁺ alters the content of V⁴⁺ and the chemisorption ability of the oxides. Possible reasons for this phenomenon are discussed.     

Li and Li MAS NMR Studies on Fast Ionic Conducting Spinel-Type Li2MgCl4, Li2-xCuxMgCl4, Li2-xNaxMgCl4, and Li2ZnCl4

⁶Li and ⁷Li MAS NMR spectra including 1D-EXSY (exchange spectroscopy) and inversion recovery experiments of fast ionic conducting Li₂MgCl₄, Li_2-xCu_xMgCl₄, Li_2-xNa_xMgCl₄, and Li₂ZnCl₄ have been recorded and discussed with respect to the dynamics and local structure of the lithium ions. The chemical shifts, intensities, and half-widths of the Li MAS NMR signals of the inverse spinel-type solid solutions Li_2-xM^I_xMgCl₄ (M^I=Cu, Na) with the copper ions solely at tetrahedral sites and sodium ions at octahedral sites and the normal spinel-type zinc compound, respectively, confirm the assignment of the low-field signal to Li^tet of inverse spinel-type Li₂MgCl₄ and the high-field signal to Lioct as proposed by Nagel et al. (2000). In contrast to spinel-type Li_2-2xMg_1+xCl₄ solid solutions with clustering of the vacancies and Mg²⁺ ions, the Cu⁺ and Na⁺ ions are randomly distributed on the tetrahedral and octahedral sites, respectively. The activation energies due to the various dynamic processes of the lithium ions in inverse spinel-type chlorides obtained by the NMR experiments are E_a=6.6-6.9 and ΔG^*>79 KJ mol⁻¹ (in addition to 23, 29, and 75 kJmol-1 obtained by other techniques), respectively. The largest activation energy of >79 KJ mol⁻¹ corresponds to hopping exchange processes of Li ions between the tetrahedral 8a sites and the octahedral 16d sites. The smallest value of 6.6-6.9 KJ mol⁻¹, which was derived from the temperature dependence of both the spin-lattice relaxation times T₁ and the correlation times τ_C of Li^tet, reveals a dynamic process for the Li^tet ions inside the tetrahedral voids of the structure, probably between fourfold 32e split sites around the tetrahedral 8a site.     

Construction of a double-layered tetrahedral network within a perovskite host: Two-step route to the alkali-metal-halide layered perovskite, (LixCl)LaNb2O7

A two-step topotactic route is used to construct lithium halide layers within a perovskite host. Initially RbLaNb₂O₇ is converted to (CuCl)LaNb₂O₇ by ion exchange and then reductive intercalation with n-butyllithium is used to form (Li_xCl)LaNb₂O₇. The copper metal byproduct from the reduction step is removed by treatment with iodine. Rietveld refinement of neutron powder diffraction data revealed that an alkali-halide double layer with LiO₂Cl₂ tetrahedra forms between the perovskite slabs. Compositional studies indicate that the range for x in (Li_xCl)LaNb₂O₇ is 2?x<4, which appears consistent with the neutron data where only one lithium site was found in the structure.     

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.     

High capacity lithium-manganese-nickel-oxide composite cathodes with low irreversible capacity loss and good cycle life for lithium ion batteries

We report a method to eliminate the irreversible capacity of 0.4Li_2MnO_3·0.6LiNi_(0.5)Mn_(0.5)O_2(Li_(1.17)Ni_(0.25)Mn_(0.583)O_2) by decreasing lithium content to yield integrated layered-spinel structures.XRD patterns,High-resolution TEM image and electrochemical cycling of the materials in lithium cells revealed features consistent with the presence of spinel phase within the materials.When discharged to about 2.8 V,the spinel phase of LiM_2O_4(M=Ni,Mn) can transform to rock-salt phase of Li_2M_2O_4(M=Ni,Mn) during which the tetravalent manganese ions are reduced to an oxidation state of 3.0.So the spinel phase can act as a host to insert back the extracted lithium ions(from the layered matrix) that could not embed back into the layered lattice to eliminate the irreversible capacity loss and increase the discharge capacity.Their electrochemical properties at room temperature showed a high capacity(about 275 mAh g~(-1) at 0.1 C) and exhibited good cycling performance.     

Investigation of structural and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline manganese substituted lithium ferrites

Nanocrystalline manganese substituted lithium ferrites Li_0.5Fe_2.5−xMn_xO₄ (2.5≤x≥0) were prepared by sol-gel auto-combustion method. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that as the concentration of manganese increased, the cubic phase changed to tetragonal. Magnetic properties were measured by hysteresis loop tracer technique. All the compositions indicated ferrimagnetic nature. The surface morphology of all the samples was studied by using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The substitution of manganese ions in the lattice affected the structural as well as magnetic properties of spinels.     

Phase diagrams in the quaternary systems M1−xCuxCr2X4 with M = Cd,Mn, and X = S,Se

The phase diagrams of the spinel systems Cd_1?xCu_xCr₂S₄, Cd_1?xCu_xCr₂Se₄, and Mn_1?xCu_xCr₂S₄ have been studied on the basis of X-ray powder photographs of quenched samples and high-temperature X-ray diffraction patterns. At room temperature the mutual solid solubilities of the metallic copper and the semiconducting cadmium and manganese spinels are only small (x < 0.05 and >0.95). The interchangeability, however, increases largely with increasing temperature. Complete series of mixed crystals, as in the Zn_1?xCu_xCr₂X₄ (X = S, Se) systems, however, are not formed. The solid solutions with x > 0.07 and <0.95, x > 0.095 and <0.90, and x > 0.36 and <0.87, respectively, formed at higher temperatures cannot be quenched to room temperature without decomposition. The unit cell dimensions of the spinel solid solutions studied obviously do not obey Vegard's rule.