Formation of LiAlyNi1−yO2 solid solutions under high and atmospheric pressure

Three methods were used for the synthesis of LiAl_yNi_1−yO₂ solid solutions with layered crystal structure: citrate and hydroxide precursor methods at atmospheric pressure and high-pressure synthesis in oxygen-rich atmosphere (3 GPa). Structural characterization of the oxides was performed by powder XRD analysis and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Irrespective of the different preparation techniques used, it was found that LiAl_yNi_1−yO₂ solid solutions can be formed in the limited concentration range of 0?y?0.5 and 0.75?y?1.0. The unit cell parameter a decreases linearly with the Al content whereas the unit cell parameter c increases sharper as compared to the linear interpolation of the c parameter calculated for the two end compositions LiNiO₂ and LiAlO₂. In these compositions, aluminum substitutes for Ni in the NiO₂-layer, the mean Al_yNi_1−y-O bond length decreasing. The extent of the trigonal distortion of Al_yNi_1−yO₆ and LiO₆-octahedra varies with the aluminum content and depends on the synthesis procedure used. The LiO₆-octahedra are more flexible to tolerate the increased trigonal distortion as compared to the Al_yNi_1−yO₆-octahedra. High-pressure synthesis favors the formation of oxides with a higher extent of trigonal distortion of both Al_yNi_1−yO₆ and LiO₆-octahedra. From EPR measurements, it was shown that local cationic distribution in LiAl_yNi_1−yO₂ depends on the synthesis temperature. At atmospheric pressure, higher synthesis temperatures promote the reaction of cation mixing between the layers.