Electrochemical behavior of Li[Li0.2Co0.3Mn0.5]O2 as cathode material in Li2SO4 aqueous electrolyte

Layered, lithium-rich Li[Li_0.2Co_0.3Mn_0.5]O₂ cathode material is synthesized by reactions under autogenic pressure at elevated temperature (RAPET) method, and its electrochemical behavior is studied in 2?M Li₂SO₄ aqueous solution and compared with that in a non-aqueous electrolyte. In cyclic voltammetry (CV), Li[Li_0.2Co_0.3Mn_0.5]O₂ electrode exhibits a pair of reversible redox peaks corresponding to lithium ion intercalation and deintercalation at the safe potential window without causing the electrolysis of water. CV experiments at various scan rates revealed a linear relationship between the peak current and the square root of scan rate for all peak pairs, indicating that the lithium ion intercalation–deintercalation processes are diffusion controlled. The corresponding diffusion coefficients are found to be in the order of 10^?8?cm²?s^?1. A typical cell employing Li[Li_0.2Co_0.3Mn_0.5]O₂ as cathode and LiTi₂(PO₄)₃ as anode in 2?M Li₂SO₄ solution delivers a discharge capacity of 90?mA?h g^?1. Electrochemical impedance spectral data measured at various discharge potentials are analyzed to determine the kinetic parameters which characterize intercalation–deintercalation of lithium ions in Li[Li_0.2Co_0.3Mn_0.5]O₂ from 2?M Li₂SO₄ aqueous electrolyte.     

In situ SERS spectroscopy of Ag-modified pyrolytic graphite in organic electrolytes

Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has been applied to study the lithium intercalation/deintercalation process at the interface of a pyrolytic graphite electrode with propylene and ethylene carbonate containing organic solutions. We have focused on the lattice vibration of the most outer graphite surface layer simultaneously with cyclic voltammetric measurements. In situ Raman spectroscopy performed in this way allowed us to determine the La value that describes the size of graphitic microcrystallites along the a-axis. It was found that the La value decreases when the electrode is polarized to potentials between 0.02 and 1.0 V. This phenomenon can be correlated with the intercalation of lithium ions into the graphene structure. According to the spectral change, the size of the graphitic microcrystallites shows reversible behavior with potential cycling at the surface of the electrode. Electronic Publication     

VOCl as a Cathode for Rechargeable Chloride Ion Batteries

A novel room temperature rechargeable battery with VOCl cathode, lithium anode, and chloride ion transporting liquid electrolyte is described. The cell is based on the reversible transfer of chloride ions between the two electrodes. The VOCl cathode delivered an initial discharge capacity of 189 mAh g^?1. A reversible capacity of 113 mAh g^?1 was retained even after 100 cycles when cycled at a high current density of 522 mA g^?1. Such high cycling stability was achieved in chloride ion batteries for the first time, demonstrating the practicality of the system beyond a proof of concept model. The electrochemical reaction mechanism of the VOCl electrode in the chloride ion cell was investigated in detail by ex situ X‐ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results confirm reversible deintercalation–intercalation of chloride ions in the VOCl electrode.     

Titanium dioxide/graphene oxide composite and its application as an anode material in non-flammable electrolyte based on ionic liquid and sulfolane

A composite of aminosilane-grafted TiO₂ (TA) and graphene oxide (GO) was prepared via a hydrothermal process. The TiO₂/graphene oxide-based (TA/GO) anode was investigated in an ionic liquid electrolyte (0.7 M lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiNTf₂)) in ionic liquid (N-methyl-N-propylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (MPPyrNTf₂)) at room temperature and in sulfolane (1 M lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF₆) in tetramethylene sulfolane (TMS)). Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) observations of the anode materials suggested that the electrochemical intercalation/deintercalation process in the ionic liquid electrolyte with vinylene carbonate (VC) leads to small changes on the surface of TA/GO particles. The addition of VC to the electrolyte (0.7 M LiNTf₂ in MPPyrNTf₂ + 10 wt.% VC) considerably increases the anode capacity. Electrodes were tested at different current regimes in the range 5–50 mA g^?1. The capacity of the anode, working at a low current regime of 5 mA g^?1, was ca. 245 mA g^?1, while a current of 50 mA g^?1 resulted in a capacity of 170 mA g^?1. The decrease in anode capacity with increasing current rate was interpreted as the result of kinetic limits of electrode operation. A much lower capacity was observed for the system TA/GO│1 M LiPF₆ in TMS + 10 wt.% VC│Li.     

Balance between reversible and irreversible processes during lithium intercalation in graphite

The effect of the measurements’ speed on reversible and irreversible processes occurring during intercalation and deintercalation of lithium in graphite out of a 1 M LiClO₄ solution in a propylene carbonate-dimethoxyethane mixture is studied by the chronopotentiometry and cyclic voltammetry methods. Dependence of reversible and irreversible capacity on the potential scan rate during potentiodynamic measurements is shown to be quite involved. Lithium diffusion coefficients in graphite are calculated by different methods.     

The kinetics of lithium transport through a composite electrode made of mesocarbon-microbeads heat-treated at 800 °C investigated by current transient analysis

Lithium transport through a mesocarbon-microbeads composite electrode was investigated in a 1 M LiPF₆ solution in ethylene carbonate/diethyl carbonate (1:1 by vol%) using a galvanostatic intermittent titration technique and a potentiostatic current transient technique. From analysis of the anodic current transient it is recognized that when the potential step is small enough for the lithium extraction potential to be below the transition potential, the lithium concentration is not fixed at the electrode surface, but the change in surface concentration with time is determined by the "cell-impedance-controlled" boundary condition. In contrast, when the potential step is large enough for the lithium extraction potential to be above the transition potential, the "real potentiostatic" boundary condition is then established at the electrode surface. Moreover, a "quasi-current plateau" was observed in a certain anodic current transient. This experimental result was theoretically analysed, based upon the modified McNabb-Foster equation as a governing equation. This strongly indicates that the difference in activation energies for lithium deintercalation between the different lithium deintercalation sites existing within the electrode accounts for the different kinetics of lithium transport between the different sites. Electronic Publication     

Lithium electrochromism of atmospheric pressure plasma jet-synthesized NiO x C y thin films

Reversible lithium intercalation and deintercalation behavior of atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ)-synthesized organonickel oxide (NiO _x C _y ) thin films under various substrate distances is testified in an electrolyte (1?M LiClO₄–propylene carbonate solution) at low driving voltages from ?0.5 to 1.5?V. Fast responses of 2?s bleaching at ?0.5?V and 6?s coloration at +1.5?V are accomplished for the nano-porous NiO _x C _y thin films. This study reveals that a rapid synthesis of electrochromic NiO _x C _y thin films in a single process via APPJ by 21?s is investigated. This study presents a noteworthy electrochromic performance in a light modulation with up to 43% of transmittance variation and a coloration efficiency of 36.3?cm²/C at a wavelength of 830?nm after 200?cycles of cyclic voltammetry measurements.     

Intercalation of lithium into porous titanium oxide produced by anodic oxidation

Process of lithium intercalation in a 1 M anhydrous propylene carbonate solution of LiClO₄ into porous titanium oxide produced by anodic oxidation of titanium in aqueous and nonaqueous electrolytes containing fluoride ions was studied. It is shown that the mass of intercalated lithium, which determines the efficiency of the cathodic reaction of lithium titanate formation, strongly depends on the specific surface area of the oxide. The results obtained make it possible to formulate approaches to solving the problem of raising the reversible electrical capacity of a lithium power source.     

Electrochemical intercalation and deintercalation of NaxMnO2 bronzes

Various Na_xMnO₂ bronzes have been electrochemically deintercalated. Na_0.40MnO₂ has a channel structure which is maintained for a large intercalation range (0.30 ≤ × ≤ 0.58). In order to explain the upper intercalation limit, an ordered sodium distribution between two types of Na⁺ sites is proposed. Na_0.70MnO₂ and α-NaMnO₂ have lamellar structures of P2 and 0′3 types. During intercalation the original P2 type is maintained for 0.45 ≤ × ≤ 0.85 while two reversible structural transitions are observed from α-NaMnO₂. A similar behavior occurs during the deintercalation of the high-temperature β-NaMnO₂ variety. In each case of the structural transition the double octahedral layers remain unchanged. Electronic localization (increased by Mn³⁺ Jahn—Teller effect) tends to trap the Na⁺ ions and therefore increases the relaxation time of the investigated materials.     

An aqueous rechargeable lithium battery based on doping and intercalation mechanisms

An aqueous rechargeable lithium battery (ARLB) using an electroactive polymer, polypyrrole (PPy), as a negative electrode; a lithium ion intercalation compound LiCoO₂ as a positive electrode; and Li₂SO₄ aqueous solution as an electrolyte and its working mechanism are described. The charge/discharge process is associated with the doping/un-doping of anions at the negative electrode and intercalation/deintercalation of lithium ions at the positive electrode. The average output voltage of the PPy//LiCoO₂ battery is about 0.85 V. This battery exhibits excellent cycling performance. This new technology solves the major problem of poor cycling life of ARLBs and will provide a new strategy to explore advanced energy storage and conversion systems.     

Electrochromic properties of MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript> thin films derived by a sol–gel process

Molybdenum trioxide (MoO₃) films were deposited on ITO/Glass substrates by the sol–gel method using a spin-coating technique and heat treated at various temperatures under different ambient atmosphere. Effects of the process parameters on the electrochromic properties of MoO₃ films were studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV) in a propylene carbonate (PC) non-aqueous solution containing 1 M lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄). Electrochromic MoO₃ film on lithium intercalation was investigated by in-situ transmittance measurement during the CV process. The MoO₃ films showed reversible recharge ability on Li⁺/e⁻ intercalation/deintercalation. Experimental results revealed that the heat-treatment temperature, the ambient atmosphere, and the thickness will have the string influence on the electrochromic properties of MoO₃ thin films. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results show that the amorphous MoO₃ films can be obtained with the heat-treatment temperature below 300 °C in O₂ ambient atmosphere. The optimum electrochromic MoO₃ film, with a thickness of 130 nm, exhibits a maximum transmittance variation (ΔT%) of 30.9%, an optical density change (ΔOD) of 0.213, an intercalation charge (Q) of 8.47 mC/cm², an insertion coefficient x in Li _x MoO₃ was 0.21 and a coloration efficiency (η) of 25.1 cm²/C between the colored and bleached states at a wavelength (λ) of 550 nm.     

Lithium ions in the van der Waals gap of Bi2Se3 single crystals

Insertion/extraction of lithium ions into/from Bi₂Se₃ crystals was investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry. The process of insertion is reflected in the appearance of two bands on voltammograms at ∼1.7 and ∼1.5 V, corresponding to the insertion of Li⁺ ions into octahedral and tetrahedral sites of the van der Waals gap of these layered crystals. The process of extraction of Li⁺ ions from the gap results in the appearance of four bands on the voltammograms. The bands 1 and 2 at ∼2.1 and ∼2.3 V correspond to the extraction of a part of Li⁺ guest ions from the octahedral and tetrahedrals sites and this extraction has a character of a reversible intercalation/deintercalation process. A part of Li⁺ ions is bound firmly in the crystal due to the formation of negatively charged clusters of the (LiBiSe₂.Bi₃Se₄⁻) type. A further extraction of Li⁺ ions from the van der Waals gap is associated with the presence of bands 3 and 4 placed at ∼2.5 and ∼2.7 V on the voltammograms as their extraction needs higher voltage due to the influence of negative charges localized on these clusters.     

Role of solution structure in the electrochemical intercalation of Ca2+ into graphite layers

In this study, we investigated the electrochemical intercalation of Ca²⁺ into graphite as an anode material for calcium-ion batteries (CIBs). The electrochemical intercalation of Ca²⁺ into a graphite electrode is possible when γ-butyrolactone (GBL) is utilized as a solvent, resulting in a reversible charge/discharge capacity. The GBL-based electrolyte allows a reversible redox reaction, thereby resulting in the intercalation and deintercalation of Ca²⁺ within the graphite electrode. Conversely, Ca²⁺ cannot be intercalated between the graphite layers in the ethylene carbonate–diethyl carbonate (EC–DEC)–based electrolyte. Analyses of the solution structures of both cases indicated that the interaction between the GBL solvent and Ca²⁺ was weak whereas that between the EC–DEC solvent and Ca²⁺ was strong. As a result of analyzing the surface of the negative electrode after charging and discharging from XPS, it was confirmed that a component that seems to be a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) was confirmed in the graphite electrode using the GBL-based electrolyte.

     

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.     

Thin-Layer Electrolytic Molybdenum Oxydisulfides for Cathodes of Lithium Batteries

Electrolytic molybdenum oxydisulfides are synthesized out of aqueous molybdate solutions containing sulfur in the presence of ions of Ni²⁺ with the aim of applying them as materials for ballastless cathodes of thin-layer lithium batteries. The physicochemical and structural properties of the synthesized compounds are studied profilometrically and by methods of thermal and x-ray diffraction analyses, absorption IR spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Specific discharge characteristics, the chemical diffusion coefficient of lithium ions, the interaction parameter of intercalated ions, and the repulsion energy of intercalated ions in the process of intercalation and deintercalation of lithium ions in the synthesized materials are determined.     

Enhanced lithium-ion intercalation and conduction of transparent tantalum oxide films by lithium addition with an atmospheric pressure plasma jet

An investigation is conducted on enhancing lithium-ion intercalation and conduction performance of transparent organo tantalum oxide (TaO _y C _z ) films, by addition of lithium via a fast co-synthesis onto 40 Ω/□ flexible polyethylene terephthalate/indium tin oxide substrates at the short exposed durations of 33–34 s, using an atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) at various mixed concentrations of tantalum ethoxide [Ta(OC₂H₅)₅] and lithium tert-butoxide [(CH₃)₃COLi] precursors. Transparent organo-lithiated tantalum oxide (Li _x TaO _y C _z ) films expose noteworthy Li⁺ ion intercalation and conduction performance for 200 cycles of reversible Li⁺ ion intercalation and deintercalation in a 1 M LiClO₄-propylene carbonate electrolyte, by switching measurements with a potential sweep from ?1.25 to 1.25 V at a scan rate of 50 mV/s and a potential step at ?1.25 and 1.25 V, even after being bent 360° around a 2.5-cm diameter rod for 1000 cycles. The Li⁺ ionic diffusion coefficient and conductivity of 6.2?×?10^?10 cm²/s and 6.0?×?10^?11 S/cm for TaO _y C _z films are greatly progressed of up to 9.6?×?10^?10 cm²/s and 7.8?×?10^?9 S/cm for Li _x TaO _y C _z films by co-synthesis with an APPJ.     

Investigation of interfacial processes in graphite thin film anodes of lithium-ion batteries by both in situ and ex situ infrared spectroscopy

Graphite thin film anodes with a high IR reflectivity have been prepared by a spin coating method. Both ex situ and in situ microscope FTIR spectroscopy (MFTIRS) in a reflection configuration were employed to investigate interfacial processes of the graphite thin film anodes in lithium-ion batteries. A solid electrolyte interphase layer (SEI layer) was formed on the cycled graphite thin film anode. Ex situ MFTIRS revealed that the main components of the SEI layer on cycled graphite film anodes in 1 mol L -1 LiPF6 /ethylene carbonate + dimethyl carbonate (1:1) are alkyl lithium carbonates (ROCO2 Li). The desolvation process on graphite anodes during the initial intercalation of lithium ion with graphite was also observed and analyzed by in situ MFTIRS.     

An electrochemical impedance spectroscopic study of the transport properties of LiNi0.75Co0.25O2

Analysis of impedance spectra taken at closely spaced bias potential values on Li_xNi_0.75Co_0.25O₂ have been interpreted in terms of electronic and ionic transport properties of this electrode material. In the 0.9<x<1 range the material shows semi-conductive properties and the electronic conductivity dominates the transport. For x≤0.9, the properties change into those of a metal-like material in which the ionic conductivity becomes the limiting factor. The transition between these two limiting conditions clearly appears in the impedance spectra sequence. This transition is reversible since the same behaviour is observed during the lithium intercalation process as well as in the reverse lithium deintercalation process.     

Chronovoltammetry of electrolytic molybdenum oxides at the electrochemical intercalation/deintercalation of lithium ions

Chemical diffusion coefficients of lithium ions in processes of electrochemical intercalation/deintercalation in electrolytic molybdenum oxides and the parameter of interaction between the intercalated particles (g) have been obtained by the following methods: the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT), the potential relaxation technique after current interruption (PRT), and the potential intermittent titration technique (PITT). In the potential range 2.40–1.40 V the values of of the order of 10^–11–10^–13 cm²/s have been obtained for Mo₄O₁₁ oxide. Intercalation/deintercalation was realized in one phase when g>4.Presented at the 3rd International Meeting on Advanced Batteries and Accumulators, 16–20 June 2002, Brno, Czech Republic     

Thermodynamics of Lithium Intercalates in Carbonized Fabric

The method of quasi-equilibrium galvanostatic curves was applied to study the thermodynamics of lithium deintercalation from the system Li _x C₆ (solid phase)/Li⁺ (solution) in the interval 293-323 K and the thermodynamic characteristics (G, S, H) of lithium intercalation compounds in a carbonized fabric in relation to the degree of intercalation x.