Ces vingt dernières années, les batteries lithium-ion sont devenues dominantes parmi les technologies de stockage d’énergie électrique. Selon les applications, ces batteries (ou les matériaux qui la constituent) doivent présenter différentes spécificités: notamment une grande densité d’énergie, un bas coût, des contraintes de sécurité et de durabilité. Dans ce but, le développement de nouveaux matériaux d’électrode est indispensable. Nous nous sommes engagés, dans cette thèse, dans la synthèse des nouveaux composés polyanioniques à base de sulfates et fluorosulfates comme matériaux d’électrodes positives. Au cours de notre étude, nous avons synthétisé un nouveau polymorphe de KFeSO4F, de symétrie monoclinique, dont nous avons déterminé la structure en combinant la diffraction des rayons X et des neutrons sur poudre. Il est possible d’extraire électrochimiquement K+ de KFeSO4F et de réinsérer Li+ dans cette nouvelle matrice «FeSO4F» à un potentiel moyen de 3.7 V vs. Li+/Li0. Ensuite, nous nous sommes penchés vers des matériaux dépourvus de fluor et nous avons découvert une nouvelle phase Li2Fe(SO4)2 orthorhombique, qui présente des propriétés électrochimiques intéressantes avec un potentiel de 3.73 et 3.85 V vs. Li+/Li0 et une bonne cyclabilité. Nous avons également étudié le composé langbeinite K2Fe2(SO4)3 pour son aptitude à intercaler Li+ une fois le K+ extrait, avec cependant peu de succès. Néanmoins, en examinant d’autres phases langbeinites K2M2(SO4)3 avec M=métaux de transition 3d, nous avons découvert un nouveau composé K2Cu2(SO4)3, qui cristallise dans une structure différente de celle des langbeinites. Enfin, nous n’avons pas seulement étudié ces nouveaux matériaux pour leurs propriétés électrochimiques mais nous avons été également capables de révéler d’autres caractéristiques physiques intéressantes, notamment magnétiques. Les composés Li2Fe(SO4)2 orthorhombique et KFeSO4F monoclinique s’ordonnent antiferromagnétiquement à longue distance et leur structure magnétique autorise un couplage magnéto-électrique. / Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have become the dominating electrical energy storage technology in the last two decades. However, depending on their applications, LIBs need to fulfill several requirements such as high energy density, low-cost, safety and sustainability. This calls for the development of new electrode materials. Focusing on the cathode side, we embarked on the synthesis of novel sulfate- and fluorosulfate-based polyanionic compounds. During the course of our study, we discovered a monoclinic KFeSO4F polymorph, whose structure was determined via combined X-ray and neutron powder diffraction. We could electrochemically extract K+ and reinsert Li+ into this new polymorphic “FeSO4F” matrix at an average potential of 3.7 V vs. Li+/Li0. We then turned towards fluorine-free materials and synthesized a new orthorhombic Li2Fe(SO4)2 phase, which presents appealing electrochemical properties in terms of working potential (3.73 and 3.85 V vs. Li+/Li0) and cycling stability. In a next step, we tested langbeinite K2Fe2(SO4)3 for its aptitude to intercalate Li+ once K+ is extracted, with however little success. Nevertheless, exploring other langbeinite K2M2(SO4)3 phases (M=3d transition metal), we discovered a new K2Cu2(SO4)3 compound, which crystallizes in an orthorhombic structure distinct from the langbeinite one. Finally, we investigated these compounds not only for their electrochemistry, but we were also able to demonstrate other interesting physical properties, namely magnetic features. Orthorhombic Li2Fe(SO4)2 and monoclinic KFeSO4F both present a long-range antiferromagnetic spin ordering whose symmetry allows a magnetoelectric effect.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(人間・環境学) / 甲第23288号 / 人博第1003号 / 新制||人||236(附属図書館) / 2020||人博||1003(吉田南総合図書館) / 京都大学大学院人間・環境学研究科相関環境学専攻 / (主査)教授 内本 喜晴, 教授 高木 紀明, 教授 中村 敏浩 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Human and Environmental Studies / Kyoto University / DFAM

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第17887号 / 工博第3796号 / 新制||工||1581(附属図書館) / 30707 / 京都大学大学院工学研究科材料工学専攻 / (主査)教授 田中 功, 教授 酒井 明, 教授 邑瀬 邦明 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM

Layered lithium transition metal oxides represent a major type of cathode materials that are widely used in commercial lithium-ion batteries. Nevertheless, these layered cathode materials suffer structural changes during electrochemical cycling that could adversely affect the battery performance. Clear explanations of the cathode degradation process and its initiation, however, are still under debate and are not yet fully understood. In this thesis, the cycling-induced chemical and structural evolution of LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 (NMC) and high-energy Li1.2Ni0.13Mn0.54Co0.13O2 (HENMC) cathodes are investigated in details using state-of-the-art electron microscopy techniques combined with other bulk measurements to uncover the mechanisms at the source of cell deterioration. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Recently, the production of lithium-ion batteries (LIB) has grown rapidly, highlighting the need for efficient and environmentally friendly recycling of LIB waste. In this work, the usage of so-called deep eutectic solvents (DESs) for the leaching of the LIB cathode material lithium cobaltoxide is investigated. The initial DESs investigated are mixtures of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG200) and an organic acid: tartaric, ascorbic, citric, oxalic or succinic acid (PEG:TA (4:1), PEG:AA (8:1), PEG:CA (4:1), PEG:OA (2:1) and PEG:SA (6:1), the molar ratio in parenthesis). Thermogravimetric analysis shows that the solvents are stable up to 180-190 °C. DESs were analyzed with FTIR spectroscopy, pH was measured using a pH-meter and viscosity using a rolling-ball viscometer. The highest leaching efficiency was obtained using PEG:AA followed by PEG:OA, both having the ability to reduce Co(III). This ability was dominant over pH and viscosity influence. For the other three solvents, leaching efficiency increases in the order of decreasing pH (PEG:TA>PEG:CA>PEG:SA). More investigations of leaching as a function of time are needed to determine the impact of viscosity. PEG:CA and PEG:AA are used to study the impact of solid-to-liquid ratio. For PEG:AA the optimal S/L-ratio is 20 mg/g. For PEG:CA the optimal S/L-ratio is different for Li and Co. Three additional CA based DESs are made using ethylene glycol (EG) and choline chloride (ChCl): EG:CA, ChCl:EG:CA and ChCl:PEG:CA. Adding ChCl to EG:CA and PEG:CA increases the leaching efficiency from ca 5 and 10 to ca 30% and the color changes from pink to blue, indicating the formation of tetrachlorocobalt complexes. This reaction may produce chlorine gas, although none was detected using potassium iodide starch paper. Study of leaching as afunction of time of ChCl:EG:CA shows the reaction slows down significantly after 24 h, indicating that the reaction has reached or is near equilibrium at this point. Antisolvent crystallization of this solvent using ethanol was not succesful.

Transition metals (TMs) are ‘elements whose atoms have partially filled d-shell, or which can give rise to cations with an incomplete d-shell’. In TMs, the d-shell overlaps with next higher s-shell. Most of the TMs exhibit more than one (multiple) oxidation states. Some TMs, such as silver and gold, occur naturally in their metallic state but, most of the TM minerals are generally oxides. Most of the minerals on the planet earth are metal oxides, because of large free energies of formation for the oxides. The thermodynamic stability of the oxides is determined from the Ellingham diagram. Ellingham diagram shows the temperature dependence of the stability (free energy) for binaries such as metal oxides. Ellingham diagram also shows the ease of reducibility of metal oxides. TM oxides of general formulas MO, M2O3, MO2, M2O5, MO3 are known to exist, many of them being the ultimate products of oxidation in air in their highest oxidation states. In addition, TM oxides also exist in lower oxidation states which are prepared under controlled conditions. The nature of bonding in these oxides varies from mainly ionic (e.g. NiO, CoO) to mainly covalent (e.g. OsO4). Simple binary oxides of the compositions, MO, generally possess the rock salt structure (e.g. NiO), while the dioxides, MO2, possess the rutile structure (e.g. TiO2); many sesquioxides, M2O3, possess the corundum structure (e.g. Cr2O3). TMs form important ternary oxides like perovskites (e.g. CaTiO3), spinels (e.g. MgFe2O4) and so on. In TM oxides, the valence (outer) d-shell could be empty, d0 (e. g. TiO2), partially filled, dn (1≤ n≤ 9) (e.g. TiO, VO, NiO etc.) or completely filled, d10 (e.g. ZnO, CdO, Cu2O etc.). The outer d electrons in TM oxides could be localized or delocalized. Localized outer d electrons give insulators/semiconductors, while delocalized/itinerant d electrons make the TM oxide ‘metallic’ (e.g. ReO3, RuO2). Partially filled dn states are normally expected to give rise to itinerant (metallic) electron behaviour. But most of TM oxides with partially filled d shell are insulators because of special electronic energy (correlation energy) involved in d electron transfer to adjacent sites. Such insulating TM oxides are known as Mott insulators (e. g. NiO, CoO etc.). Certain TM oxides are known to exhibit both localized (insulating) and itinerant (metallic) behaviour as a function of temperature or pressure. For example, VO2 shows a insulator–metal transition at ~340K. Similar transitions are also known for V2O3, metal-rich EuO and so on. The chemical composition and bonding of TM oxides, which determine the crystal and electronic structures, give rise to functional properties. Table 1 gives representative examples. Properties like ionic conductivity and diffusion are governed by both the crystal structure and the defect structure (point defects), whereas properties such as magnetism and electron transport mainly arise from the electronic structures of the materials. Accordingly, TM oxides provide a platform for exploring functional materials properties. Among the various functional materials properties exhibited by transition metal oxides, the present thesis is devoted to investigations of lithium ion battery cathodes, inorganic pigments and magnetic perovskites. Over the years, most of the lithium containing first row transition metal oxides of rock salt derived structure have been investigated for possible application as cathode materials in lithium ion batteries (LIBs). First major breakthrough in LIBs research was achieved by electrochemically deinserting and inserting lithium in LiCoO2. A new series of cathode materials for LIBs were prepared by incorporating excess lithium into the transition metal containing layered lithium oxides through solid solution formation between Li2MnO3–LiMO2 (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni), known as lithium-rich layered oxides (LLOs). LLOs exhibit improved electrochemical performance as compared to the corresponding end members and hence received significant attention as a potential next generation cathode materials for LIBs in recent times. LiCoO2 (R-3m) crystallizes in the layered α-NaFeO2 structure with the oxygens in a ccp arrangement. Li+ and Co3+ ions almost perfectly order in the octahedral sites (3a and 3b) to give alternating (111) planes of LiO6 and CoO6 octahedra. Table 1. Materials properties exhibited by representative TM oxides. Property Example(s) Ferroelectricity BaTiO3, PbTiO3, Bi4Ti3O12 Nonlinear Optical Response LiNbO3 Multiferroic response BiFeO3, TbMnO3 Microwave dielectric properties Ba3ZnTa2O9 Relaxor Dielectric Properties Pb3MgNb2O9, Colossal Magnetoresistance Tl2Mn2O7 Metallic ‘Ferroelectricity’ Cd2Re2O7 Superconductivity AOs2O6(A = K, Rb, Cs) Redox deinsertion/insertion of LiCoO2 lithium Photocatalysis/water splitting TiO2 Pigment Ca(1-x)LaxTaO(2-x)N1+x (yellow-red), YIn1-xMnxO3 (blue) Metallic Ferromagnetism CrO2 Antiferromagnetism NiO, LaFeO3 Zero thermal expansion ZrW2O8 The reversible capacity of LiCoO2 in common LIBs is relatively low at around 140 mA h g-1 (half of theoretical capacity), corresponding to: LiCo3+O2 → Li0.5Co3+0.5Co4+0.5O2 + 0.5Li+ + 0.5e– . Substitution of one or more transition metal ions in LiCOO2 has been explored to improve the electrochemical performance. The structure of LLOs is described as a solid solution or nano composite of Li2MnO3 (C2/m) and LiMO2 (R-3m). The electrochemical deinsertion/insertion behaviour of LLOs is complex and also not yet understood completely. The present thesis consists of four parts. After a brief introduction (Part 1), Part 2 is devoted to materials for Li-ion battery cathode, consisting of three Chapters 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3. In Chapter 2.1, we describe the synthesis, crystal structure, magnetic and electrochemical characterization of new LiCoO2 type rock salt oxides of formula, Li3M2RuO6 (M = Co, Ni). The M =Co oxide adopts the LiCoO2 (R-3m) structure, whereas the M = Ni oxide also adopts a similar layered structure related to Li2TiO3. Magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that in Li3Co2RuO6, the oxidation states of transition metal ions are Co3+, Co2+ and Ru4+, whereas in Li3Ni2RuO6, the oxidation states are Ni2+ and Ru5+. Li3Co2RuO6 orders antiferromagnetically at ~10K. On the other hand, Li3Ni2RuO6 presents a ferrimagnetic behaviour with a Curie temperature of ~100K. Electrochemical Li-deinsertion/insertion studies show that high first charge capacities (between ca.160 and 180 mA h g−1) corresponding to ca.2/3 of theoretical capacity are reached albeit, in both cases, capacity retention and cyclability are not satisfactory. Chapter 2.2 presents a study of new ruthenium containing LLOs, Li3MRuO5 (M = Co and Ni). Both the oxides crystallize in the layered LLO type LiCoO2 (α-NaFeO2) structure consisting of Li[Li0.2M0.4Ru0.4]O2 layers. Magnetic susceptibility data suggest that the oxidation states of transition metals are Li3Co3+Ru4+O5 for the M = Co compound and Li3Ni2+Ru5+O5 for the M = Ni compound. Electrochemical investigations of lithium deintercalation–intercalation behaviour reveal that both Co and Ni phases exhibit attractive specific capacities of ca. 200 mA h g-1 at an average voltage of 4 V, that has been interpreted as due to the oxidation of Co3+ and Ru4+ in Li3CoRuO5 and Ni2+ to Ni4+ in the case of Li3NiRuO5. Thus, we find that ruthenium plays a favourable role in LLOs than in non-LLOs in stabilizing higher reversible electrochemical capacities. In Chapter 2.3, we describe the synthesis, crystal structure and lithium deinsertion–insertion electrochemistry of two new LLOs, Li3MRuO5 (M=Mn, Fe) which are analogs of the oxides described in Chapter 2.2. The Li3MnRuO5 oxide adopts a structure related to Li2MnO3 (C2/m), while the Li3FeRuO5 oxide adopts a near-perfect LiCoO2 (R-3m) structure. Lithium electrochemistry shows typical behaviour of LLOs for both oxides, where participation of oxide ions in the electrochemical processes is observed. A long first charge process with capacities of 240 mA h g-1 (2.3 Li per f.u.) and 144 mA h g-1 (1.38 Li per f.u.) is observed for Li3MnRuO5 and Li3FeRuO5, respectively. Further discharge–charge cycling points to partial reversibility. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterisation of both pristine and electrochemically oxidized Li3MRuO5 reveals that in the Li3MnRuO5 oxide, Mn3+ and Ru4+ are partially oxidized to Mn4+ and Ru5+ in the sloping region at low voltage, while in the long plateau, O2- is also oxidized. In the Li3FeRuO5 oxide, the oxidation process appears to affect only Ru (4+ to 5+ in the sloping region) and O2- (plateau), while Fe seems to retain its 3+ state. Another characteristic feature of TMs is formation of several coloured solid materials where d–d transitions, band gap transitions and charge transfer transitions are involved in the colouration mechanism. Coloured TM oxides absorbing visible light find important applications as visible light photocatalyst (for example, yellow BiVO4 for solar water splitting and red Sr1-xNbO3 for oxidation of methylene blue) and inorganic pigments [for example, Egyptian blue (CaCuSi4O10), Malachite green (Cu2CO3(OH)2), Ochre red (Fe2O3)]. Pigments are applied as colouring materials in inks, dyes, paints, plastics, ceramic glazers, enamels and textiles. In this thesis, we have focused on the coloured TM oxides for possible application as inorganic pigments. Generally, colours arise from electronic transitions that absorb visible light. Colours of the inorganic pigments arise mainly from electronic transitions involving TM ions in various ligand fields and charge transfer transitions governed by different selection rules. The ligand field d–d transitions are parity forbidden but are relaxed due to various reasons, such as distortion (absence of center of inversion) and vibronic coupling. The d-electrons can be excited by light absorption in the visible region of the spectrum imparting colour to the material. Charge transfer transitions in the visible region are not restricted by the parity selection rules and therefore give intense colours. Here we have investigated the colours of manganese in unusual oxidation state (Mn5+) as well as the colours of different 3d-TM ions in distorted octahedral and trigonal prismatic sites in appropriate colourless crystalline host oxides. These results are discussed in Part 3 of the thesis. In Chapter 3.1, we describe a blue/green inorganic material, Ba3(P1−xMnxO4)2 (I) based on tetrahedral Mn5+O4 :3d2 chromophore. The solid solutions (I) which are sky-blue and turquoise-blue for x ≤ 0•25 and dark green for x ≥ 0•50, are readily synthesized in air from commonly available starting materials, stabilizing the Mn5+O4 chromophore in an isostructural phosphate host. We suggest that the covalency/ionicity of P–O/Mn–O bonds in the solid solutions tunes the crystal field strength around Mn(V) such that a blue colour results for materials with small values of x. The material could serve as a nontoxic blue/green inorganic pigment. In Chapter 3.2, an experimental investigation of the stabilization of the turquoise-coloured Mn5+O4 chromophore in various oxide hosts, viz., A3(VO4)2 (A = Ba, Sr, Ca), YVO4, and Ba2MO4 (M = Ti, Si), has been carried out. The results reveal that substitution of Mn5+O4 occurs in Ba3(VO4)2 forming the entire solid solution series Ba3(V1−xMnxO4)2 (0 < x ≤ 1.0), while, with the corresponding strontium derivative, only up to about 10% of Mn5+O4 substitution is possible. Ca3(VO4)2 and YVO4 do not stabilize Mn5+O4 at all. With Ba2MO4 (M = Ti, Si), we could prepare only partially substituted materials, Ba2M1−xMn5+xO4+x/2 for x up to 0.15, that are turquoise-coloured. We rationalize the results that a large stabilization of the O 2p-valence band states occurs in the presence of the electropositive barium that renders the Mn5+ oxidation state accessible in oxoanion compounds containing PO43−, VO43−, etc. By way of proof-of-concept, we synthesized new turquoise-coloured Mn5+O4 materials, Ba5(BO3)(MnO4)2Cl and Ba5(BO3)(PO4)(MnO4)Cl, based on the apatite – Ba5(PO4)3Cl – structure. Chapter 3.3 discusses crystal structures, and optical absorption spectra/colours of 3d-transition metal substituted lyonsite type oxides, Li3Al1-xMIIIx(MoO4)3 (0< x ≤1.0) (MIII = Cr, Fe) and Li3-xAl1-xMII2x(MoO4)3 (0< x ≤1.0) (MII = Co, Ni, Cu). Crystal structures determined from Rietveld refinement of PXRD data reveal that in the smaller trivalent metal substituted lyonsite oxides, MIII ions occupy the octahedral (8d, 4c) sites and the lithium ions exclusively occur at the trigonal prismatic (4c) site in the orthorhombic (Pnma) structure; on the other hand, larger divalent cations (CoII/CuII) substituted derivatives show occupancy of CoII/CuII ions at both the octahedral and trigonal prismatic sites. We have investigated the colours and optical absorption spectra of Li3Al1-xMIIIx(MoO4)3 (MIII = Cr, Fe) and Li3-xAl1-xMII2x(MoO4)3 (MII = Co, Ni, Cu) and interpreted the results in terms of average crystal field strengths experienced by MIII/MII ions at multiple coordination geometries. We have also identified the role of metal-to-metal charge transfer (MMCT) from the partially filled transition metal 3d orbitals to the empty Mo – 4d orbitals in the resulting colours of these oxides. B The ABO3 perovskite structure consists of a three dimensional framework of corner shared BO6 octahedra in which large A cation occupies dodecahedral site, surrounded by twelve oxide ions. The ideal cubic structure occurs when the Goldschmidt’s tolerance factor, t = (rA + rO)/{√2(rB + rO)}, adopts a value of unity and the A–O and B–O bond distances are perfectly matched. The BO6 octahedra tilt and bend the B – O – B bridges co-operatively to adjust for the non-ideal size of A cations, resulting deviation from ideal cubic structure to lower symmetries. Ordering of cations at the A and B sites of perovskite structure is an important phenomenon. Ordering of site cations in double (A2BB'O6) and multiple (A3BB'2O9) perovskites give rise to newer and interesting materials properties. Depending upon the constituent transition metals and ordering, double perovskite oxides exhibit a variety of magnetic behaviour such as ferromagnetism, ferrimagnetism, antiferromagnetism, spin-glass magnetism and so on. We also have coupled magnetic properties such as magnetoresistance (Sr2FeMoO6), magnetodielectric (La2NiMnO6) and magnetooptic (Sr2CrWO6) behaviour. Here we have investigated new magnetically frustrated double perovskite oxides of the formula Ln3B2RuO9(B = Co, Ni and Ln = La, Nd). The Chapter 4.1 describes Ln3B2RuO9 (B = Co, Ni and Ln = La, Nd) oxides (prepared by a solid state metathesis route) which adopt a monoclinic (P21/n) A2BB'O6 double perovskite structure, wherein the two independent octahedral 2c and 2d sites are occupied by B2+ and (B2+1/3Ru5+2/3) atoms, respectively. Temperature dependence of the molar magnetic susceptibility plots obtained under zero field cooled (ZFC) condition exhibit maxima in the temperature range 25–35K, suggesting an antiferromagnetic interaction in all these oxides. Ln3B2RuO9 oxides show spin-glass behavior and no long-range magnetic order is found down to 2 K. The results reveal the importance of competing nearest neighbour (NN), next nearest neighbor (NNN) and third nearest neighbour (third NN) interactions between the magnetic Ni2+/Co2+ and Ru5+ atoms in the partially ordered double perovskite structure that conspire to thwart the expected ferromagnetic order in these materials.

This doctoral thesis deals with properties of cathode materials for Lithium-Ion accumulators. The theoretical part consists of an overview of the cathode materials and a brief introduction into the very wide area of Lithium-Ion accumulators. The goal of this work was to study the LiCoO2 cathode material and to prepare some modifications of it by doping with other elements. This work was then extended with the study of the new generation of high-voltage cathode materials. The aim of this part was to study their synthesis, their physical and electrochemical properties and the influence of used electrolytes on their electrochemical stability. The work then focuses on the influence of doping these materials and the influence of another part of the battery – the separator – on the overall properties of these types of cathode materials. The results show that doping the LiCoO2 cathode material with sodium and potassium lead to an enhancement of some electrochemical properties as stability during cycling or stability at higher loads and also the long-term stability during aging is better. The LiNi0,5Mn1,5O4 high voltage material was synthetized in both its forms in comparable or even better quality compared with the results from foreign laboratories. The synthesis process was watched in-situ by SEM, thanks to which a unique study of the ongoing changes during synthesis was done. Also the best suitable electrolytes for this material were identified from the viewpoint of stability at high voltages, which is important for the future practical use. Doping of the material with chromium resulted in better stability and capacity both during cycling at standard conditions and at higher temperature and load. A significant impact of the separators on the overall electrochemical properties of the cathode materials was proved, which could be a big benefit for their future usage.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(人間・環境学) / 甲第23995号 / 人博第1047号 / 新制||人||245(附属図書館) / 2022||人博||1047(吉田南総合図書館) / 京都大学大学院人間・環境学研究科相関環境学専攻 / (主査)教授 内本 喜晴, 教授 中村 敏浩, 教授 陰山 洋, 教授 雨澤 浩史 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Human and Environmental Studies / Kyoto University / DFAM

<p>Understanding lithium-ion insertion/extraction mechanisms in battery electrode materials is of crucial importance in developing new materials with better cycling performance. In this thesis, these mechanisms are probed for two different potential cathode materials by a combination of electrochemical and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The materials investigated are V₆O₁₃and cubic LiMn₂O₄spinel.</p><p>Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of lithiated phases in the Li_xV₆O₁₃ system (x=2/3 and 1) exhibit superlattice phenomena and an underlying Li⁺ ion insertion mechanism which involves the stepwise addition of Li⁺ions into a two-dimensional array of chemically equivalent sites. Each successive stage in the insertion process is accompanied by a rearrangement of the Li⁺ ions together with an electron redistribution associated with the reduction of specific V-atoms in the structure. This results in the formation of electrochemically active sheets in the structure. A similar mechanism occurs in the LiMn₂O₄ delithiation process, whereby lithium is extracted in a layered arrangement, with the Mn atoms forming charge-ordered Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ layers.</p><p>Lithium-ion insertion/extraction processes in transition-metal oxides would thus seem to occur through an ordered two-dimensional arrangement of lithium ions extending throughout the structure. The lithium ions and the host structure rearrange cooperatively to form superlattices through lithium and transition-metal ion charge-ordering. A picture begins to emerge of a universal two-dimensional lithium-ion insertion/extraction mechanism analogous to the familiar staging sequence in graphite.</p>

Understanding lithium-ion insertion/extraction mechanisms in battery electrode materials is of crucial importance in developing new materials with better cycling performance. In this thesis, these mechanisms are probed for two different potential cathode materials by a combination of electrochemical and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The materials investigated are V6O13 and cubic LiMn2O4 spinel. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of lithiated phases in the LixV6O13 system (x=2/3 and 1) exhibit superlattice phenomena and an underlying Li+ ion insertion mechanism which involves the stepwise addition of Li+ ions into a two-dimensional array of chemically equivalent sites. Each successive stage in the insertion process is accompanied by a rearrangement of the Li+ ions together with an electron redistribution associated with the reduction of specific V-atoms in the structure. This results in the formation of electrochemically active sheets in the structure. A similar mechanism occurs in the LiMn2O4 delithiation process, whereby lithium is extracted in a layered arrangement, with the Mn atoms forming charge-ordered Mn3+/Mn4+ layers. Lithium-ion insertion/extraction processes in transition-metal oxides would thus seem to occur through an ordered two-dimensional arrangement of lithium ions extending throughout the structure. The lithium ions and the host structure rearrange cooperatively to form superlattices through lithium and transition-metal ion charge-ordering. A picture begins to emerge of a universal two-dimensional lithium-ion insertion/extraction mechanism analogous to the familiar staging sequence in graphite.