Impedance spectroscopy of lithium-carbon electrodes

The methods of coulometric titration and electrode impedance spectroscopy are used in studying the behavior of carbon film electrodes free of binding and conducting additives in the course of reversible lithium intercalation from nonaqueous electrolytes. The electrodes with the high and low degrees of graphitization are studied. The measurements are performed in the frequency range from 10⁵ to 10^?2 Hz with the lithium concentration in intercalate varied from 0.025 mol/cm³ (corresponds to LiC₆) to a state free of lithium. The factors responsible for the hysteresis in charge-discharge curves, the versions of equivalent circuits (EC) suitable for modeling the impedance spectra of Li _x C₆ electrodes, the dependence of EC parameters and the lithium diffusion coefficient on the concentration are discussed. It is shown that all experimental impedance spectra can be adequately modeled by a common general EC. The concentration dependences are consistent with the earlier data of pulse methods. The diffusion coefficient varies approximately from 10^?12 to 10^?13 cm²/s.     

Determination of diffusion coefficient of lithium in substituted LiMn1.95Cr0.05O4 spinel using impedance technique

Electrodiffusion properties of chromium-substituted lithium-manganese spinel Li _x Mn_1.95Cr_0.05O₄ intended for application as a cathodic material for lithium-ion batteries is studied. The studies are carried out at 25°C using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique in alkyl-carbonate electrolyte. In the analysis of impedance spectra, the apparatus of electric equivalent circuits was employed to determine surface layer resistances, double electric layer capacitance, differential intercalation capacity, chemical diffusion coefficient D of lithium, and other electrode characteristics. The issues of substantiating the choice of electric equivalent circuits and correct interpretation of their elements are discussed; dependences of the calculated model parameters on the electrode potential (lithium concentration in the electrode) are analyzed. The chemical diffusion coefficient of Li⁺ in Li _x Mn_1.95Cr_0.05O₄ found on the basis of the impedance spectra is in the range of 10^?9 to 10^?12 cm²/s under electrode potential variation in the range of 3.5–4.5 V (vs. Li/Li⁺) with a pronounced minimum of D in the middle of this range. Repeated cycling of the electrode is accompanied by a gradual increase in resistance of the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI).     

Models of lithium transport as applied to determination of diffusion characteristics of intercalation electrodes

In order to elucidate the mechanism of lithium transport in intercalation electrodes based on solid lithium-accumulating compounds and determine its parameters, the kinetic models are used which allow the combined analysis of electrode impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, pulse chronoampero- and chronopotentiometry data to be carried out. The models describe the stages of consecutive lithium transport in the surface layer and bulk of electrode-material particles, including the accumulation of species in the bulk. The lithium transport stages that occur in the surface layer of an intercalation-material particle and in its bulk are both of the diffusion nature but substantially differ as regards their characteristic times and diffusion coefficients D. Taking account of this peculiarity and assessing adequately the geometrical configuration of intercalation system allow the diffusion parameters of lithium transport to be correctly 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.     

Alloy formation processes at electrochemical intercalation of lithium into intermetallic compounds of magnesium with zinc

A comparative study of alloy formation processes that occur during the electrochemical intercalation of lithium from lithium chloride solutions in dimethylformamide into intermetallic compounds of magnesium with zinc (MgZn₂, Mg₂Zn₃) and the corresponding individual metals is studied by chronopotentiometric and voltammetric methods. Lithium-containing phases are formed in all samples studied; moreover, for MgZn₂ and Mg₂Zn₃ electrodes, the phases formed are preferentially in the Li-Zn system. The largest number of lithium-containing phases is formed in zinc. It is shown that the electrochemical behavior of intermetallic electrodes is associated with their nature, where a single alloy component plays the key role, namely, zinc for MgZn₂ and magnesium for Mg₂Zn₃. The cathodic intercalation of lithium into MgZn₂ is characterized by anomalously low polarizability as compared with the other electrodes. The lithium extraction coefficient K _ex ^Li increases from the first to the tenth cycle for all electrode studied. The highest K _ex ^Li are typical of Zn and the lowest are typical of Mg₂Zn₃.     

Lithium Intercalation into Titanium Dioxide Films from a Propylene Carbonate Solution

Intercalation of lithium from an LiClO₄ propylene carbonate solution into thin-film TiO₂ (rutile) electrodes produced by thermal oxidation of a titanium substrate are studied using cyclic voltammetry and impedance measurements at 0.01 to 10⁵ Hz. An equivalent circuit adequately modeling the impedance spectra of TiO₂- and Li _x TiO₂ electrodes throughout the frequency range studied is proposed. The electrochemical characteristics of film electrodes, the reversibility of intercalation-deintercalation process, the effect of surface passivation on the lithium transfer rate, and the dependence of electric, kinetic, and diffusion parameters on the electrode potential (composition) are discussed. The diffusion coefficient of lithium in Li _x TiO₂ is 10^–12 cm²/s, as estimated by the impedance method.     

Lithium intercalation with phase transitions in model systems of electrode materials for lithium power sources

A comparison was made for Li⁺ chemical diffusion coefficients (D _Li) in graphite as calculated by mathematical models of Li⁺ intercalation under constant potential into semirestricted and restricted kinetic systems with mobile phase boundary and into a single-phase system. Close D _Li values were calculated by means of double-phase models. The double-phase model produces 6–7-fold D _Li coefficient as compared to the values of the single-phase model.     

Gas diffusion hindrances on Ni cermet anode in contact with Zr<Subscript>0.84</Subscript>Y<Subscript>0.16</Subscript>O<Subscript>1.92</Subscript> solid electrolyte

The electrochemical behavior of Ni cermet electrode with CeO_{2 ? x} additive in contact with YSZ electrode was studied by means of impedance spectroscopy in H₂, H₂O, CO₂, CO, He, and Ar gas media of various composition within the temperature range of 700 to 950°C. Near the equilibrium potential, the electrochemical impedance spectra of the studied electrodes indicate to three stages of electrode reaction. The polarization conductivity of the low-frequency stage of electrode reaction (σ_lf) is characterized with the following regularities: (a) temperature dependence of σ_lf has a positive slope in Arrhenius coordinates; (b) σ_lf increases upon replacement of gas mixture with lower mutual diffusion coefficient by mixture with higher mutual diffusion coefficient, while polarization conductivity values of other stages remain practically invariable; (c) concentration relationships of 1/σ_lfrecorded for constant activity of oxygen in the gas phase are linear in the 1/σ_lf vs. 1/P _{CO 2} (P _CO) coordinates; (d) no low-frequency stage of the electrode reaction is observed upon electrochemical inflow (outflow) of the gas reagents (reaction products) to (from) the test electrodes (current passing through closely pressed specimens and central specimen impedance measurement); and (e) no change in the gas flow rate affects σ_lf value. The observed regularities were explained by assuming the gas diffusion nature of the low-frequency stage of the electrode reaction. The gas diffusion layer thickness was estimated.     

Interaction of solid and polymeric lithium electrolytes with composites based on carbon fibers and silicon nanoclusters: Quantum-chemical modeling

In the framework of the search for promising electrodes and membranes for lithium-ion batteries, quantum-chemical modeling of the contact area of the solid (Li₁₀GeP₂S₁₂) and polymeric LiNafion · nDMSO-based electrolytes with an anode as carbon fibers coated with silicon nanoclusters (Si _n C _m ) has been performed by the density functional theory method with inclusion of gradient correction and periodic conditions (PBE/PAW). It has been found that the polymeric electrolytes form a better contact with the electrode surface than the solid electrolytes. The barriers to lithium transport in the polymeric LiNafion · nDMSO-based electrolyte have been estimated at 0.3 eV, and those to Li migration from the electrolyte into the electrode have been estimated at 0.4 eV.     

Effect of the electrode material on the oxygen reduction at the nonstoichiometric lanthanum fluoride/electrode interface

The voltammetry method with a linear potential scan is used for investigating the effect the electrode material (Ni, Co, electrodes on the basis of cobalt oxides modified with carbon) exerts on the reduction of gaseous oxygen at interfaces solid fluoride-conducting electrode LaF₃:Eu²⁺/electrode, O₂, and conjugated processes. Properties of the modified electrodes are characterized by the impedance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy methods. The oxygen reaction is irreversible at the LaF₃:Eu²⁺|Ni (or Co) interfaces. At the interface of LaF₃:Eu²⁺ with modified electrodes Co (C n at %), where n = 5 and 9, mobile forms of oxygen are reversible and the reduction of gaseous and chemisorbed oxygen is controlled by diffusion with different effective kinetic parameters.     

Crystal structure and conduction of BICUTIVOX

Existence boundaries, structure, and transport parameters were studied for Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Cu _x/2Ti _x/2O_{11 ? x} solid solutions. Doping levels within x = 0.025–0.15 distort the C2/m crystal lattice (this lattice is characteristic of individual the Bi₄V₂O₁₁ phase) and lowers its symmetry to triclinic. The solid solutions with 0.25 ≤ x ≤ 0.30 crystallize in tetragonal space group I4/mmm. High-temperature X-ray diffraction and dilatometry measurements for Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Cu _x/2Ti _x/2O_{11 ? x} (x ≤ 0.35) solid solutions verified the existence of three structural varieties within 298–1023 K. Electrical conductivity of BICUTIVOX was studied by impedance spectroscopy as a function of temperature, composition, and oxygen partial pressure. Equivalent circuits of cells were analyzed. Features of electrical conductivity versus temperature for the structural varieties are noted. Above 873 K, the solid solutions samples with x = 0.05 have the highest conductivity. At lower temperatures, higher conductivities are in the solid solutions that retain the γ phase in the low-temperature region. The dominant oxygen-ion conduction mechanism was discovered in the solid solutions.     

Kinetics of Anodic Dissolution of Lithium out of Li x C6 Electrodes in Nonaqueous Lithium Perchlorate Solutions

Kinetics of processes occurring during anodic dissolution of Li _x C₆ electrodes formed in structures of carbonized fiber and cloth (CC) in solutions of lithium perchlorate in a mixture of propylene carbonate and dimethoxyethane is studied. It is shown that the Li _x C₆ (CC) electrodes have an approximately three times greater intercalation capacity, which is caused by specific features of the structure of CC. Values of the initial concentration of lithium defects in the structure of a surface layer of the CC matrix and the diffusion coefficients for lithium in the temperature range 293–323 K are calculated.     

Preparation,structure, and charge transport characteristics of BIFEVOX ultrafine powders

Existence boundaries, structure, and transport parameters of ultrafine powders were studied in Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Fe _x O_{11 ? x} (BIFEVOX) solid solutions. The details of synthesis of the solid solutions via liquid precursors are analyzed comparatively. In general, BIFEVOX formation via liquid precursors is similar to phase formation in solid-phase synthesis. With low iron levels (x = 0.05–0.1), solid solutions are formed in the monoclinic α phase (space group C2/m) The compositions with x = 0.125 and 0.15 are mixtures of α- and β phases. In the range 0.2 < x < 0.7, the Bi₄V_{2 ? x} Fe _x O_{11 ? x} solid solution has the structure of the γ phase of Bi₄V₂O₁₁ (space group I4/mmm). The β phase in the system in question has a very narrow existence range in the vicinity of x = 0.175. The average particle sizes of the powders prepared by various methods are within 0.5–3 μm. In the powders prepared via liquid precursors, however, the distribution peak shifts toward smaller sizes, to 0.3–1 μm. Mechanical activation conserves the structure of the γ phase of BIFEVOX, and unit cell parameters change only insignificantly; however, the crystal lattice is slightly distorted. The electrical conductivity of BIFEVOX was studied as a function of temperature, preparation technology, and composition using impedance spectroscopy. Equivalent circuits of cells were analyzed. The conductivity of samples prepared by solution technology is always higher than for samples prepared by the solid-phase process. Features of electrical conductivity versus temperature for various phases are noted. All transitions on the conductivity curves match the features of linear thermal expansion curves. Compositions with doping levels x= 0.1–0.3 have the highest total conductivities.     

Electrochemical Intercalation of Lithium into Graphite in Acetonitrile Solutions: The Effect of the Anion Nature

Effect of the anion nature on the cathodic intercalation of lithium into graphite is studied. The duration of a discharge process and the capacity of Li _x C₆ electrodes increase in the row Cl^– HSO₄ ^– < ClO₄ ^– < SCN^–. The highest negative potential of an Li _x C₆ electrode is reached when lithiating in an LiSCN non-aqueous solution. X-ray diffraction and microstructure analyses confirm the presence in the electrode's upper layers of predominantly layered compounds Li _x C₆A _y , where A is anion. In deep layers, the principal intercalation product is Li _x C₆.     

Phase equilibria involving solid solutions in the Li–Mn–O system

Phase equilibria involving LiMn₂O_4-, Li₂MnO_3-, LiMnO_2-, Mn₃O_4-, and MnO-base solid solutions were studied with varied temperature and partial oxygen pressure. The \({P_{{o_2}}}\)–T and x–y projections of the P–T–x–y phase diagram of the Li–Mn?O system were constructed, as well as the key x–y isotherms of the Li₂O–MnO–MnO₂ quasi-ternary system. In some experiments, the authors’ hydride lithiation method was employed to prepare lithium-rich homogeneous three-component nonstoichiometric phases.     

X-ray diffraction study on phase transition of orthorhombic LiMnO2 in electrochemical conversions

Orthorhombic LiMnO₂ was synthesized by hydrothermal reaction. Phase transition during electrochemical process has been investigated using the high-resolution X-ray diffraction. Contrary to numerous earlier reports, phase analysis of the orthorhombic LiMnO₂ electrode cycled for three times evidences the irreversible structure transition from orthorhombic LiMnO₂ (Pmnm) to spinel LiMn₂O₄ (Fd3m) and rock salt Li_0.5Mn_0.5O (Fm \( \overline{3} \) m). Here, the spinel structure with a cell parameter a?=?8.241 (1) Å has a large cationic disorder on lithium and manganese sites, i.e., about 9% of the Li positions are occupied by Mn and vice versa. For Li_0.5Mn_0.5O, the cell parameter is a?=?4.121 (3) Å, and both Li⁺ and Mn³⁺ cations occupy the octahedral 4a sites with mole ratio 1:1. The quantity of Li_0.5Mn_0.5O phase is greatly dependent on cycling rate, namely, the higher the current density is, the larger the quantity of formed-rock salt structure is.     

Using <Emphasis Type="Italic">ex situ</Emphasis> X-ray powder diffraction at synchrotron radiation to follow changes in the phase composition of perovskite-like strontium cobaltites

Precision X-ray diffraction at synchrotron radiation was used to reveal the separation of perovskite-like oxides SrCo_0.8-x Fe_0.2Nb _x O_3-z (x = 0.2 and 0.3) into two phases of a similar structure identical to initial perovskite structure, but having different unit cell parameters and supposedly different oxygen deficiency. The structural transformation is accompanied by oxygen outlet from the structure. The study of oxygen atoms intercalation from air into the oxygen-deficient structure showed that the structural changes are reversible: heating to 400°C in air restores the initial state of samples.     

Subsolidus phase relations in the Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>O-Ta<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> (Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>) systems

The phase composition has been studied and an equilibrium phase diagram has been designed for the Al₂O₃-Li₂O-R₂O₅ (R = Ta or Nb) systems in the subsolidus region up to 1000°C and 85 mol % Li₂O. New phases with the composition Li_1+x Al_1?x O_2?x , where x = 0–0.67, have been found.     

Charge distribution and mobility of lithium ions in Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> from <Superscript>6,7</Superscript>Li NMR data

A comparative analysis of ^6,7Li NMR spectra is performed for the samples of monoclinic lithium titanate obtained at different synthesis temperatures. In the ⁷Li NMR spectra three lines are found, which differ in quadrupole splitting frequencies v _Q and according to ab initio EFG calculations are assigned to three crystallographic sites of lithium: Li1 (v _Q ～ 27 kHz); Li2 (v _Q ～ 59 kHz); Li3 (v _Q ～ 6 kHz). The dynamics of lithium ions is studied in a wide temperature range from 300 K to 900 K. It is found that the narrowing of ⁷Li NMR spectra as a result of thermally activated diffusion of lithium ions in the low-temperature Li₂TiO₃ sample is observed at a higher temperature in comparison with a sample of high-temperature lithium titanate. Based on the analysis of ⁶Li NMR spectra it is assumed that there is mixed occupancy of lithium and titanium sites in the corresponding layers of the crystal structure of low-temperature lithium titanate, which hinders lithium ion transfer over regular crystallographic sites.     

Solid-state electrochemical lithium cells with oxide electrodes and composite solid electrolyte

The LiClO₄-Al₂O₃ composite solid electrolyte and solid solutions LiFe _x Mn_2?x O₄ and Li₅Ti₄O₁₂ compositions are synthesized and their physicochemical properties are studied using the x-ray diffraction and electrical measurements. Based on composition 0.5LiClO₄-0.5Al₂O₃, whose conductivity is the highest, first experiments on the elaboration of model electrochemical solid-electrolyte lithium cells with LiMn₂O₄, LiFeMnO₄, LiFe_0.8Mn_0.2O₄, and Li₅Ti₄O₁₂ oxide spinel electrodes are performed.