Enhanced cycling properties of transition metal molybdates, Li x M2(MoO4)3 {0?≤ x

K. M. Begam  M. S. Michael  S. R. S. Prabaharan 《Ionics》2007,13(6):467-471

Synthesis,Characterization, and Crystal Structure of [3,3':3',3'-Terindolin]-2'-One Bis(dimethyl Sulfoxide)

Crystallography Reports - The indole derivative [3,3':3',3''-terindolin]-2'-one bis(dimethyl sulfoxide), C24H17N3O ⋅ 2(C2H6OS) has been synthesized using green protocol in...     

New NASICON type oxyanion high capacity anode, Li2Co2(MoO4)3, for lithium-ion batteries: preliminary studies

We describe in this paper the lithium insertion/extraction behavior of a new NASICON type Li₂Co₂(MoO₄)₃ at a low potential and explored the possibility of considering this new oxyanion material as anode for lithium-ion batteries for the first time. Li₂Co₂(MoO₄)₃ was synthesized by a soft-combustion glycine-nitrate low temperature protocol. Test cells were assembled using composite Li₂Co₂(MoO₄)₃ as the negative electrode material and a thin lithium foil as the positive electrode material separated by a microporous polypropylene (Celgard® membrane) soaked in aprotic organic electrolyte (1 M LiPF₆ in EC/DMC). Electrochemical discharge down to 0.001 V from OCV (～3.5 V) revealed that about 35 Li⁺ could ^possibly be inserted into Li₂Co₂(MoO₄)₃ during the first discharge (reduction) corresponding to a specific capacity amounting to 1,500 mAh g^?1. This is roughly fourfold higher compared to that of frequently used graphite electrodes. However, about 24 Li⁺ could be extracted during the first charge. It is interesting to note that the same amount of Li⁺ could be inserted during the second Li⁺ insertion process (second cycle discharge) giving rise to a second discharge capacity of 1,070 mAh g^?1. It was also observed that a major portion of lithium intake occurs below 1.0 V vs Li/Li⁺, which is typical of anodes being used in lithium-ion batteries.     

Nanostructured lithium-free oxyanion cathode, Li x Co2(MoO4)3 [0≤ x <3] for 3 V class lithium batteries

A new nanostructured framework-type polyanion material, Li _x Co₂(MoO₄)₃ [0≤?x?<3], was studied as a positive electrode for use in 3-Volt class lithium-ion cells for the first time. The new material was synthesized in a lithium-free composition and examined its structure, morphology, and electrochemical characteristics. Co₂(MoO₄)₃ was found to crystallize in a monoclinic structure with lattice parameters: a?=?14.280(9) ?, b?=?3.382(8) ?, c?=?10.557(1) ?, and β?=?117.9728° (space group P2/m). The redox behavior of this new material was demonstrated in lithium-containing test cells. The material offered a discharge capacity of approximately 110 mAh g^?1 between 3.5 and 1.5 V during the first cycle and retained 50% capacity at the end of the 20th cycle. The poor capacity retention is obviously attributed to the poor electronic conductivity of Co₂(MoO₄)₃ owing to its open framework structure. To overcome the intrinsic low electronic conductivity of polyanion materials, we have adapted a nanocomposite approach by way of adding nanoporous carbon matrix (particle size approximately 10 nm) together with the conventional conductive additive (acetylene black) and demonstrated that the overall electronic conductivity could be improved significantly, yielding an initial discharge capacity of 121 mAh g^?1 using nanocomposite electrode in the potential range 3.5 V down to 2.0 V.     

Synthesis and redox behavior of a new polyanion compound, Li2Co2(MoO4)3, as 4 V class positive electrode material for lithium batteries

A new material, Li₂Co₂(MoO₄)₃, belonging to NASICON type polyanion family was synthesized by means of a low temperature soft-combustion method using glycine as a soft combustion fuel. The annealed product, Li₂Co₂(MoO₄)₃, was found to exhibit a single phase structure as confirmed by XRD and crystallized in an orthorhombic structure (space group Pnma) with lattice parametersa=5.086(1) Å,b=10.484(2) Å and c=17.606(2) Å. The electronic state of each element present in the new material was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) analysis. The stoichiometry of the synthesized product was determined by the metal analysis using inductively coupled plasma (ICP-AES) technique. The microstructural analysis by means of SEM revealed cylindrical fiber-like grains. Electrochemistry of the new material was demonstrated by extraction/insertion process of Li⁺ in lithium batteries. Galvanostatic charge/discharge profiles revealed a reversible discharge capacity of ～ 55 mAh/g over the potential window of 4.9 - 1.5 V.     

Kinetics and Mechanism of the Oxidation of 4-Oxo-4-arylbutanoic Acids by N-bromophthalimide in Aqueous Acetic Acid Medium

The kinetics of oxidation of a series of substituted 4-oxobutanoic acids (Y–C₆H₄COCH₂CH₂COOH: Y = H, OCH₃, CH₃, C₆H₅, Cl, Br or NO₂) by N-bromophthalimide have been studied in aqueous acetic acid medium at 30 °C. The total reaction is second-order, first-order each in oxidant and substrate. The oxidation rate increases linearly with [H⁺], establishing the hypobromous acidium ion, H₂O⁺Br, as the reactive species. A variation in ionic strength has no effect on the reaction rate. The order of reactivity among the studied 4-oxoacids is: 4-methoxy > 4-methyl > 4-phenyl > 4-H > 4-Cl > 4-Br > 3-NO₂. The effect of changes on the electronic nature of the substrate reveals that there is a development of positive charge in the transition state. The activation parameters have been computed from Arrhenius and Eyring plots. Based on the kinetic results, a suitable mechanism has been proposed.     

A directing group switch in copper-catalyzed electrophilic C–H amination/migratory annulation cascade: divergent access to benzimidazolone/benzimidazole

We present here a copper-catalyzed electrophilic ortho C–H amination of protected naphthylamines with N-(benzoyloxy)amines, cyclization with the pendant amide, and carbon to nitrogen 1,2-directing group migration cascade to access N,N-disubstituted 2-benzimidazolinones. Remarkably, this highly atom-economic tandem reaction proceeds through a C–H and C–C bond cleavage and three new C–N bond formations in a single operation. Intriguingly, the reaction cascade was altered by the subtle tuning of the directing group from picolinamide to thiopicolinamide furnishing 2-heteroaryl-imidazoles via the extrusion of hydrogen sulfide. This strategy provided a series of benzimidazolones and benzimidazoles in moderate to high yields with low catalyst loading (66 substrates with yields up to 99%). From the control experiments, it was observed that after the C–H amination an incipient tetrahedral oxyanion or thiolate intermediate is formed via an intramolecular attack of the primary amine to the amide/thioamide carbonyl. It undergoes either a 1,2-pyridyl shift with the retention of the carbonyl moiety or H₂S elimination for scaffold diversification. Remarkably, inspite of a positive influence of copper in the reaction outcome, from our preliminary investigations, the benzimidazolone product was obtained in good to moderate yields in two steps under metal-free conditions. The N-pyridyl moiety of the benzimidazolone was removed for further manipulation of the free NH group.

A novel directing group switch strategy is explored in a copper-catalyzed divergent synthesis of benzimidazolone via electrophilic C–H amination/cyclization/1,2-C → N directing group migration cascade and benzimidazole through the extrusion of H₂S.     

Structural and Magnetic properties of Cr-diffused CdTe nanocrystalline thin films deposited by electron beam evaporation

Cr-diffused cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin films with different Cr content were prepared using electron beam evaporation method at a substrate temperature of 373 K followed by annealing at 573 K. The structures, composition, chemical and magnetic properties of the prepared films were studied using appropriate techniques. The X-ray diffraction spectra showed a predominant (1 1 1) reflection corresponding to the zinc blende structure of CdTe. Increase of lattice parameter with increase in Cr content has been observed. The cross-sectional HRSEM images displayed a columnar grain growth in the films. EDAX data exposed the presence of Cr, Cd and Te with near stoichiometry. The Raman spectra revealed emission peaks corresponding to A1, TO and LO modes of CdTe showing gradual shift in peak position and decreased intensity confirming the incorporation of Cr into CdTe host lattice. M–H plots displayed a clear well-defined room temperature ferromagnetic hysteresis loop with increase in Cr content.