4-Volt cathode materials for rechargeable lithium batteries wet-chemistry synthesis, structure and electrochemistry

Lithium transition-metal oxides used as intercalation compounds for rechargeable lithium batteries are widely studied in search of structural stability and improved electrochemical performance. Cathode materials belonging to the 4-volt class electrodes were synthesized by wet-chemistry methods, i.e., sol-gel, combustion or co-precipitation techniques. It is shown that synthesis greatly affects the electrochemistry and cycle life characteristics of the cathodes. Extensive damage including local strain variation, nanodomain formation, and changes in cation ordering, has been observed by local probes such as Raman and FTIR spectroscopy. In this work we wish to show the relationship between the local cationic environment and electrochemical characteristics of the 4-volt cathodes. Materials such as LiMn₂O₄, LiCoO₂, LiNi_1−yCo_yO₂, LiNi_1−yCo_yVO₄, and LiMoVO₆ are investigated.