Insights into the Impact of Impurities and Non-Stoichiometric Effects on the Electrochemical Performance of Li2 MnSiO4

A series of Li₂ MnSiO₄ samples with various Li, Mn, and/or Si concentrations are reported to study for the first time the effect of impurities and deviation from ideal stoichiometry on electrochemical behavior. Carbon-coated and nanosized powders are obtained at 600 °C and compared with those synthetized at 900 °C. Samples are investigated using XRD, SEM, high-resolution TEM, attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area to characterize crystal structure, particle size, impurity amount, morphology, and surface area. Electrochemical performance depends on impurities such as MnO as well as crystallite size, surface area, and non-stoichiometric phases, which lead to the formation of additional polymorphs such as Pmnb and P2₁ /n of Li₂ MnSiO₄ at low calcination temperatures. A systematic analysis of the main parameters affecting the electrochemical behavior is performed and trends in synthesis are identified. The findings can be applied to optimize different synthesis routes for attaining stoichiometric and phase-pure Pmn2₁ Li₂ MnSiO₄ as cathode material for Li-ion batteries.

Importance of Reaction Kinetics and Oxygen Crossover in aprotic Li-O2 Batteries Based on a Dimethyl Sulfoxide Electrolyte

Although still in their embryonic state, aprotic rechargeable Li-O2 batteries have, theoretically, the capabilities of reaching higher specific energy densities than Li-ion batteries. There are, however, significant drawbacks that must be addressed to allow stable electrochemical performance; these will ultimately be solved by a deeper understanding of the chemical and electrochemical processes occurring during battery operations. We report a study on the electrochemical and chemical stability of Li-O2 batteries comprising Au-coated carbon cathodes, a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-based electrolyte and Li metal negative electrodes. The use of the aforementioned Au-coated cathodes in combination with a 1 M lithium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide (LiTFSI)-DMSO electrolyte guarantees very good cycling stability (>300 cycles) by minimizing eventual side reactions. The main drawbacks arise from the high reactivity of the Li metal electrode when in contact with the O2 -saturated DMSO-based electrolyte.

An Explanation of the Ageing Mechanism of Li-Ion Batteries by Metallographic and Material Analysis

Li-ion batteries are a key technology for both electro-mobility and stationary energy storage systems. In order to be able to represent and improve their service life in these applications, a better understanding of the processes which lead to the degradation of the individual cells is essential. The work presented in this article focuses on the comparative post mortem analysis of type 18650 commercially available cells containing the state of the art active materials (Cathode: LiMn2O4 (LMO) and Li(Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3)O2 (NMC), Anode: Graphite). These cells were subjected to various different ageing procedures. Amongst other effects, the cells investigated revealed signs of crack formation in the LMO- and NMC-particles, a loss in the mechanical integrity of the cathode active mass and plastic deformation of cell structure together with pronounced delamination between the active mass layers, the separator and the current collector.

Origin of valence and core excitations in LiFePO(4) and FePO(4)

Electronic structures of LiFePO(4) and FePO(4) have been investigated using valence and core electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) supported by ab initio calculations. Valence electron energy loss spectra of FePO(4) are characterized by interband transitions found between 0 and 20 eV, which are not observed in LiFePO(4). Spectra are fully analysed using band structure calculations and calculated dielectric functions. In particular, we show that interband transitions observed in FePO(4) spectra originate from the states at the top of the valence band, which have mainly oxygen p character. From core-loss EELS, it is observed that the O-K edge in FePO(4) has a pre-edge peak below the threshold of the main O-K edge. This pre-edge peak is not observed in the O-K spectra of LiFePO(4). The position of the pre-edge peak is determined by a charge transfer process, which shifts the position of the iron 3d bands with respect to the conduction band. The intensity of the pre-edge peak is also determined by the changes in the hybridization of iron 3d and oxygen states as a result of extraction of lithium ions from the LiFePO(4) lattice. We show that the extraction of lithium ions from LiFePO(4) results in large changes in the electronic structure, such that FePO(4) can be considered to be a charge transfer insulator while LiFePO(4) is a typical Mott-Hubbard insulator.