Electrospun Li<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>/Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> composite nanofibers for enhanced high-rate lithium ion batteries

Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/Li₂TiO₃ composite nanofibers with the mean diameter of ca. 60 nm have been synthesized via facile electrospinning. When the molar ratio of Li to Ti is 4.8:5, the Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/Li₂TiO₃ composite nanofibers exhibit initial discharge capacity of 216.07 mAh g^?1 at 0.1 C, rate capability of 151 mAh g^?1 after being cycled at 20 C, and cycling stability of 122.93 mAh g^?1 after 1000 cycles at 20 C. Compared with pure Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ nanofibers and Li₂TiO₃ nanofibers, Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/Li₂TiO₃ composite nanofibers show better performance when used as anode materials for lithium ion batteries. The enhanced electrochemical performances are explained by the incorporation of appropriate Li₂TiO₃ which could strengthen the structure stability of the hosted materials and has fast Li⁺-conductor characteristics, and the nanostructure of nanofibers which could offer high specific area between the active materials and electrolyte and shorten diffusion paths for ionic transport and electronic conduction. Our new findings provide an effective synthetic way to produce high-performance Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ anodes for lithium rechargeable batteries.     

Synthesis and structure of phosphates M<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Phosphates M_0.5Ti₂(PO₄)₃ (M = Ni, Zn) were synthesized by the sol-gel method and characterized by the methods of X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and electronic microprobe analysis. Structures of Ni_0.5Ti₂(PO₄)₃ and Zn_0.5Ti₂(PO₄)₃ were studied by Rietveld method using the X-ray powder diffraction data.     

Electrochemical performance of novel Li<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> glass-ceramic nanocomposites as electrodes for energy storage devices

The novel Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ glass-ceramic nanocomposites were synthesized and investigated as electrodes for energy storage devices. They were fabricated by heat treatment (HT) of 37.5Li₂O–25V₂O₅–37.5P₂O₅?mol% glass at 450 °C for different times in the air. XRD, SEM, and electrochemical methods were used to study the effect of HT time on the nanostructure and electrochemical performance for Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ glass-ceramic nanocomposites electrodes. XRD patterns showed forming Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ NASICON type with monoclinic structure. The crystalline sizes were found to be in the range of 32–56 nm. SEM morphologies exhibited non-uniform grains and changed with variation of HT time. The electrochemical performance of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ glass-ceramic nanocomposites was investigated by using galvanostatic charge/discharge methods, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 1 M H₂SO₄ aqueous electrolyte. The glass-ceramic nanocomposites annealed for 4 h, which had a lower crystalline size, exhibited the best electrochemical performance with a specific capacity of 116.4 F g^?1 at 0.5 A g^?1. Small crystalline size supported the lithium ion mobility in the electrode by decreasing the ion diffusion pathway. Therefore, the Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ glass-ceramic nanocomposites can be promising candidates for large-scale industrial applications in high-performance energy storage devices.     

Influence of manganese ions dissolved from LiMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> cathode on the degradation of Li<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>-based lithium-ion batteries

A systematic investigation is conducted to evaluate the influence of dissolved manganese ions from LiMn₂O₄ cathode on the degradation of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂-based lithium-ion batteries. Worse capacity fading is found in Li₄Ti₅O₁₂-based full cells with increasing manganese ion addition. The interfacial film covered on Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ anode is affected by the manganese ion contamination during cycling, which becomes thicker but more non-uniform, and is composed by less ratio of compact components and more ratio of loose components compared with that free of contamination. Such flawed passivation film cannot restrain the further penetration of electrolyte and inhibit the contact between electrolyte and Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ anodes efficiently, thus triggering more interfacial reactions and that should be the reason for the more severe capacity degradation. Accordingly, we suggest that in addition to optimizing the chemistry and microstructure of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ electrode, more attention should also be paid to minimizing the destructive effect imposed on the passivation film of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ electrode by the transition metal ion contaminations.     

Grain boundary resistance of fast lithium ion conductors: Comparison between a lithium-ion conductive Li-Al-Ti-P-O-type glass ceramic and a Li1.5Al0.5Ge1.5P3O12 ceramic

The structure and ionic conductivity of a lithium-ion conductive Li-Al-Ti-P-O-type glass ceramic (LATP) was studied by means of powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and broadband impedance spectroscopy. The results were compared to a Li_1.5Al_0.5Ge_1.5P₃O₁₂ (LAGP) ceramic. While the grain conductivity of LATP is higher than that of LAGP, the total conductivity of LATP is lower due to a large grain boundary resistance. The grain boundary resistance of LATP is characterized by a slightly higher activation energy and a slightly higher pre-exponential factor than the grain resistance. Our results indicate that the origin of the grain boundary resistance in these fast lithium ion conductors is clearly distinct from oxide ion conductors.     

Phase formation in the ZrO(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>-H<Subscript>3</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-CsF-H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O system at low concentration of the phosphorus-containing component

The ZrO(NO₃)₂-H₃PO₄-CsF-H₂O system was studied at 20°C along the section at a molar ratio of PO₄³⁻/Zr = 0.5 (which is of the greatest interest in the context of phase formation) at ZrO₂ concentrations in the initial solutions of 2–14 wt % and molar ratios of CsF: Zr = 1−6. The following compounds were isolated for the first time: crystalline fluorophosphates CsZrF₂PO₄ · H₂O, amorphous oxofluorophosphate Cs₂Zr₃O₂F₄(PO₄)₂ · 3H₂O, and amorphous oxofluorophosphate nitrate CsZr₃O_1.25F₄(PO₄)₂(NO₃)_0.5 · 4.5H₂O. The compound Cs₃Zr₃O_1.5F₆(PO₄)₂ · 3H₂O was also isolated, which forms in a crystalline or glassy form, depending on conditions. The formation of the following new compounds was established: Cs₂Zr₃O_1.5F₅(PO₄)₂ · 2H₂O, Cs₂Zr₃F₂(PO₄)₄ · 4.5H₂O, and Zr₃O₄(PO₄)_1.33 · 6H₂O, which crystallize only in a mixture with known phases. All the compounds were studied by X-ray powder diffraction, crystal-optical, thermal, and IR spectroscopic analyses.     

Electrical conductivity studies in the system Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Li<Subscript>1.33</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>1.67</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Electrical conductivity in the monoclinic Li₂TiO₃, cubic Li_1.33Ti_1.67O₄, and in their mixture has been studied by impedance spectroscopy in the temperature range 20–730 °C. Li₂TiO₃ shows low lithium ion conductivity, σ₃₀₀≈10^–6 S/cm at 300 °C, whereas Li_1.33Ti_1.67O₄ has 3×10^–8 at 20 °C and 3×10^–4 S/cm at 300 °C. Structural properties are used to discuss the observed conductivity features. The conductivity dependences on temperature in the coordinates of 1000/T versus log_e(σT) are not linear, as the conductivity mechanism changes. Extrinsic and intrinsic conductivity regions are observed. The change in the conductivity mechanism in Li₂TiO₃ at around 500–600 °C is observed and considered as an effect of the first-order phase transition, not reported before. Formation of solid solutions of Li_{2– x} Ti_{1+ x} O₃ above 900 °C significantly increases the conductivity. Irradiation by high-energy (5 MeV) electrons causes defects and the conductivity in Li₂TiO₃ increases exponentially. A dose of 144 MGy yields an increase in conductivity of about 100 times at room temperature. Electronic Publication     

A single crystal X-ray and powder neutron diffraction study on NASICON-type Li1+xAlxTi2−x(PO4)3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) crystals: Implications on ionic conductivity

Single crystals of NASICON-type material Li_1+xTi_2−xAl_x(PO₄)₃ (LATP) with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5 were successfully grown using long-term sintering techniques. Sample material was studied by chemical analysis, single crystal X-ray and neutron diffraction. The Ti⁴⁺ replacement scales very well with the Al³⁺ and Li⁺ incorporation. The additional Li⁺ thereby enters the M3 cavity of the NASICON framework at x, y, z ∼ (0.07, 0.34, 0.09) and is regarded to be responsible for the enhanced Li⁺ conduction of LATP as compared to Al-free LTP. Variations in structural parameters, associated with the Ti⁴⁺ substitution with Al³⁺ + Li⁺ will be discussed in detail in this paper.     

Thermoanalytical study of the synthesis of Na<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Bi<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> ferroelectric

The study presents results of examination on Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃ (NBT) ferroelectric synthesis through intermediate binary compound Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ (BIT). The first stage of the study related to obtaining BIT from oxide precursors, i.e. Bi₂O₃ and TiO₂. The second stage included obtaining NBT from Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂, Na₂CO₃ and TiO₂. Two polymorphic modifications of TiO₂ (anatase, rutile) and diversified initial homogenization of raw material batches were applied during examination.     

Impact of carbon coating thickness on the electrochemical properties of Li<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>/C composites

A series of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C composites with different amounts of carbon are synthesized by a combustion method. The physical and electrochemical properties of the Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C composites are investigated by X-ray diffraction, element analysis, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and electrochemical measurements. The effects of carbon content of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C composites on its electrochemical properties are conducted with cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance. The experiment results clearly show that the optimal carbon content is 4.3 wt %, and more or less amount of carbon would be unfavorable to electrochemical properties of the Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C electrode materials. The results would provide some basis for further improvement on the Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ electrode materials.     

Production of an electrode material modified by a lithium-conducting solid electrolyte

The process for producing the electrode material LiCoPO₄ modified by the lithium-conducting solid electrolyte Li_1.3Al_0.3Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃ (LATP) was studied. To create a composite consisting of an electrochemically active substance and an electrically conductive additive distributed uniformly between LiCoPO₄ particles, a peroxide solution of a LATP precursor was used. After annealing at 700°C, the two-phase composite LiCoPO₄/LATP was obtained, the conductivity of which was two orders of magnitude higher than that of binary lithium cobalt phosphate at room temperature.     

Interactions in the Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>5</Subscript>-Ti<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> System

Interactions in the Al₂TiO₅-Ti₂O₃ system were studied and the regions of existence of Al_2?2xTi _2x ³⁺ Ti⁴⁺O₅ solid solutions with a pseudobrookite structure were determined.     

Effects of Cr doping on the electrochemical performance of Li<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> cathode material for lithium ion batteries

A series of Cr-doped Li₃V_2???x Cr _x (PO₄)₃ (x?=?0, 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5) samples are prepared by a sol–gel method. The effects of Cr doping on the physical and chemical characteristics of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ are investigated. Compared with the XRD pattern of the undoped sample, the XRD patterns of the Cr-doped samples have no extra reflections, which indicates that Cr enters the structure of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃. As indicated by the charge–discharge measurements, the Cr-doped Li₃V_2???x Cr _x (PO₄)₃ (x?=?0.1, 0.25, and 0.5) samples exhibit lower initial capacities than the undoped sample at the 0.2 C rate. However, both the discharge capacity and cycling performance at high rates (e.g., 1 and 2 C) are enhanced with proper amount of Cr doping (x?=?0.1). The highest discharge capacity and capacity retention at the rates of 1 and 2 C are obtained for Li₃V_1.9Cr_0.1(PO₄)₃. The improvement of the electrochemical performance can be attributed to the higher crystal stability and smaller particle size induced by Cr doping.     

Effects of carbon coating from sucrose and PVDF on electrochemical performance of Li<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>/C composites in different potential ranges

The carbon coated nanoflower-like Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/C composites were prepared via hydrothermal method followed by surface modification using sucrose or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as carbon sources. X-ray diffraction, SEM, TEM, Raman spectroscopy, TGA, and the electrochemical measurements were used for the materials characterization. Such modification leads to the formation of a high-conductive carbon coating. In the case of polyvinylidene fluoride use, fluorination of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ surface takes place also. As a result, electrochemical performance of the obtained composites is improved. In the potential range of 1–3 V, Li₄Ti₅O₁₂, Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/C_PVDF, and Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/C_sucrose exhibit, respectively, the discharge capacities of 142.5, 154.3, and 170.4 mAh/g at a current of 20 mA/g and 57.2, 82.1, and 89.3mAh/g at a current of 3200 mA/g. When cycled in a potential range of 0.01–3 V, the discharge capacity of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/C_PVDF increases up to 252 mAh/g at 20 mA/g.     

Synthesis and thermal decomposition of neodymium(III) peroxotitanate to Nd<Subscript>2</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>5</Subscript>

Neodymium(III) peroxotitanate is used as a precursor for obtaining Nd₂TiO₅. The last one possesses numerous valuable electrophysical properties. TiCl₄, Nd(NO₃)₃·6H₂O and H₂O₂ in mol ratio 1:2:10 were used as starting materials. The reaction ambience was alkalized to pH = 9 with a solution of NH₃. The obtained neodymium(III) peroxotitanate and intermediate compounds of the isothermal heating were proved by the help of quantitative analysis and infrared spectroscopy (IRS). It has Nd₄[Ti₂(O₂)₄(OH)₁₂]·7H₂O composition. The absorption band observed in IRS at 831 cm^?1 relates to a triangular bonding of the peroxo group of Ti, at 1062 cm^?1—terminal groups Ti–OH and at 1491 and 1384 cm^?1—the bridging OH^?-groups Ti–O(H)–Ti. Nd₂TiO₅ was obtained by thermal decomposition of neodymium(III) peroxotitanate. The isothermal conditions for decomposition were determined on the base of differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry results in the temperature range of 20–1000 °C. The mechanism of thermal decomposition of Nd₄[Ti₂(O₂)₄(OH)₁₂]·7H₂O to Nd₂TiO₅ was studied. In the temperature range of 20–208 °C, a simultaneous decomposition of the peroxo groups by the separation of oxygen and hydrate water is conducted and Nd₄[Ti₂O₄(OH)₁₂] is obtained. From 208 to 390 °C, the terminal OH^?-groups are separated and Nd₄[Ti₂O₇(OH)₆] is formed. In the range of 390–824 °C, the bridging OH^?-groups are completely decomposed to Nd₂TiO₅. The optimal conditions for obtaining nanocrystalline Nd₂TiO₅ are 900 °C for 6 h and 20–80 nm.     

Phase formation in the InPO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Na<Subscript>3</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Li<Subscript>3</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript> ternary system

The 950°C isothermal section of the InPO₄-Na₃PO₄-Li₃PO₄ ternary system was studied and constructed; one-, two, and three-phase fields are outlined. Five solid-solution regions exist in the system: solid solutions based on the complex phosphate LiNa₅(PO₄)₂ (olympite structure), the indium ion stabilized high-temperature Na₃PO₄ phase (Na_{3(1 − x)}In _x (PO₄); space group Fm [`3]\bar 3 m), the complex phosphate Na₃In₂(PO₄)₃, and the α and β phases of the compound Li₃In₂(PO₄)₃. A narrow region of melt was found in the vicinity of eutectic equilibria. All the phases detected in the system are derivatives of phases existing in the binary subsystems. Isovalent substitution of lithium for sodium in Na₃In₂(PO₄)₃ leads to a significant increase in the region of a NASICON-like solid solution.     

Synthesis and characterization of macroporous Li<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>/C composites as cathode materials for Li-ion batteries

The macroporous Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C composite was synthesized by oxalic acid-assisted carbon thermal reaction, and the common Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C composite was also prepared for comparison. These samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and electrochemical performance tests. Based on XRD and SEM results, the sample has monoclinic structure and macroporous morphology when oxalic acid is introduced. Electrochemical tests show that the macroporous Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C sample has a high initial discharge capacity (130 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 C) and a reversible discharge capacity of 124.9 mAh g⁻¹ over 20 cycles. Moreover, the discharge capacity of the sample is still 91.5 mAh g⁻¹, even at a high rate of 2 C, which is better than that of the sample with common morphology. The improvement in electrochemical performance should be attributed to its improved lithium ion diffusion coefficient for the macroporous morphology, which was verfied by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.     

Phase-pure nanocrystalline Li<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> for a lithium-ion battery

Phase-pure nanocrystalline Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ with BET surface areas between 183 and 196 m²/g was prepared via an improved synthetic protocol from lithium ethoxide and titanium(IV) butoxide. The phase purity was proved by X-ray powder diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Thin-film electrodes were prepared from two nanocrystalline samples of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ and one microcrystalline commercial sample. Li-insertion behavior of these electrodes was related to the particle size.Presented at the 3rd International Meeting on Advanced Batteries and Accumulators, 16–20 June 2002, Brno, Czech Republic     

Natural graphite enhanced the electrochemical performance of Li<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> cathode material for lithium ion batteries

Natural graphite treated by mechanical activation can be directly applied to the preparation of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃. The carbon-coated Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ with monoclinic structure was successfully synthesized by using natural graphite as carbon source and reducing agent. The amount of activated graphite is optimized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, Raman spectrum, galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests. Our results show that Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ (LVP)-10G exhibits the highest initial discharge capacity of 189 mAh g^?1 at 0.1 C and 162.9 mAh g^?1 at 1 C in the voltage range of 3.0–4.8 V. Therefore, natural graphite is a promising carbon source for LVP cathode material in lithium ion batteries.     

Thermal behaviour and properties of Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>O-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> glasses

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermomechanical analysis (TMA) were used to study the thermal behaviour of (50-x)Na₂O-xTiO₂-50P₂O₅ and 45Na₂O-yTiO₂-(55-y)P₂O₅ glasses. The addition of TiO₂ to the starting glasses (x=0 and y=5 mol% TiO₂) resulted in a nonlinear increase of glass transition temperature and dilatation softening temperature, whereas the thermal expansion coefficient decreased. All prepared glasses crystallize under heating within the temperature range of 300–610°C. The contribution of the surface crystallization mechanism over the internal one increases with increasing TiO₂ content. With increasing TiO₂ content the temperature of maximum nucleation rate is also gradually shifted from a value close to the glass transition temperature towards the crystallization temperature. X-ray diffraction measurements showed that the major compounds formed by glass crystallization were NaPO₃, TiP₂O₇ and NaTi₂(PO₄)₃. The chemical durability of the glasses without titanium oxide is very poor, but with the replacement of Na₂O or P₂O₅ by TiO₂, it increases sharply.