Fast microwave treatments of single source alkoxides for nanostructured Li-ion battery electrodes

Abstract

Microwave or ultrasonic treatment of metal alkoxides presents a fast, low cost route to both anode and cathode nanomaterials for Li-ion battery applications. Here, we demonstrate the formation of LiMPO4 (M = Fe, Mn) and Mn3O4 nanostructures via this simple route which exhibit excellent electrochemical performances. This approach opens up a new avenue for the targeted design of nanostructured materials, where co-location of the desired metals in a single starting material shortens reaction times and temperatures since there is a decrease in diffusional energy requirements usually needed for these reactions to proceed.

Li1.5La1.5MO6 (M = W6+, Te6+) as a new series of lithium-rich double perovskites for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries

“…A Whatman glass microfibre filter (GF/D grade) was used as a separator with 1 M LiPF 6 in ethylene carbonate and dimethyl carbonate 1:1 v/v (Solvionic) as the electrolyte and a 10-mm-diameter circular piece of Li metal of 0.75 mm thickness (Sigma Aldrich) as the reference and counter electrode. C-coated Li 1.5 La 1.5 WO 6 (targeting 10% wt and resulting in a 6% wt real content as calculated from EA) was produced by sucrose route previously employed in our group 77 . In brief, Li 1.5 La 1.5 WO 6 as-synthesised material was mixed with sucrose in a 50:50 (% vol ) ethanol:water solution.…”

Structure–property insights into nanostructured electrodes for Li-ion batteries from local structural and diffusional probes

“…[9][10][11][12] In recent years, microwave-assisted solvothermal synthesis has been shown to be a relatively fast and low temperature route to prepare phase pure nanosized LiFePO 4 particles by combining the strong interaction between polar/ionic solvents and microwave radiation. [13][14][15][16][17] Absorption of electromagnetic energy ensures uniform and rapid heating can be achieved within a short period of time through the dielectric heating effect. 13,18 Olivine structured mixed transition-metal phosphate systems have attracted considerable interest since such composite materials facilitate ne-tuning of the inherent properties of the pure analogues, such as the voltage and the stability of the cathode upon delithiation.…”

On the underestimated influence of synthetic conditions in solid ionic conductors

“…In the case of battery materials, numerous electrode materials, e.g. intercalation-type cathodes [144][145][146] and carbon-based anodes, 147,148 have been synthesized via microwave methods. 149 Despite the emerging use of the microwave synthesis in various elds, there are only a few reports on the successful synthesis of solid electrolytes.…”