Lithium Intercalation into ATi2(PS4)3 (A = Li,Na, Ag)

Comparison of the electrochemical insertion of lithium into ATi₂(PS₄)₃ with A = Li, Na, Ag and ATi₂(PO₄)₃ with Li, Ag is striking. Whereas only four lithium per formula unit (Li/f.u.) can be inserted reversibly into the phosphates, up to 7 and 10 Li/f.u. can be inserted reversibly in the thiophosphates with A = Li and Ag. Moreover, the Ag⁺ to Ag⁰ reduction in AgTi₂(PO₄)₃ is not reversible, but in AgTi₂(PS₄)₃ it is reversible. Strong hybridization of the Ag-5s and host antibonding bands stabilizes the formal valences Ag⁰, Ti⁺, and (PS₄)⁴⁻ in the discharged state of AgTi₂(PS₄)₃; but only the formal valence Ti²⁺ is accessible in LiTi₂(PS₄)₃. Unfortunately the large volume change associated with the lithium insertion renders the structure progressively more amorphous on cycling, which causes the capacity to fade quite dramatically on further cycling. The thiophosphates transform to the phosphates on heating in air.