Structure and lithium ionic conduction mechanism in La4/3−yLi3yTi2O6

The solid solutions La_4/3−yLi_3yTi₂O₆ (y=0.09∼0.33) have been studied by complex impedance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods. The ionic conductivity shows a maximum value at around y=0.21, and keeps high values at high y concentrations. The XRD patterns show a single phase for all concentration. The crystal structure is orthorhombic with space groupPmmm for y=0.09∼0.15 and tetragonal with space groupP4/mmm for y=0.17∼0.33. The⁷Li static NMR spectra show a main central peak with a Lorenzian shape for y=0.09∼0.21. The central peak is divided into two parts for y=0.23∼0.33. The narrow intense peak is a mobile component due to mobile ions, and a small broad central peak is due to less mobile lithium ions which contribute to immobile component. The⁷Li MAS NMR spectra show negative chemical shifts which decrease with increasing y concentration. In this paper, we discuss the conduction mechanism and the structure from the analysis of conductivity, lattice parameters, occupation, atomic positions and the⁷Li static/MAS NMR spectra.