Antonella Iadecola

Understanding the lithiation/delithiation mechanism of Si1−xGex alloys

GexSi1−x alloys have demonstrated synergetic effects as lithium-ion battery (LIB) anodes, because silicon brings its high lithium storage capacity and germanium its better electronic and Li ion conductivity. Previous studies primarily focused on intricate nanostructured alloys with high costs of production, but here we studied the simpler Si0.5Ge0.5 alloy as a composite electrode. The electrochemical mechanism is explored by a combination of in situ and operando techniques such as powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), Raman spectroscopy and 7Li solid state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), all providing unique and complementary information about phase transformations during cycling. In this way amorphization of c-Si0.5Ge0.5 upon lithiation (discharging) and crystallization of a new phase at the end of the discharge have been identified. Additionally, an evolution of the refined cell parameters was observed and related to an overlithiation process. The crystallinity of Si0.5Ge0.5 was not restored upon charging (delithiation) and an amorphous phase was obtained. Lastly, an improved understanding of the electrochemical mechanism of Si1−xGex alloys is mandatory for assessing their viability as LIB anodes.

Fundamental interplay between anionic/cationic redox governing the kinetics and thermodynamics of lithium-rich cathodes

Reversible anionic redox has rejuvenated the search for high-capacity lithium-ion battery cathodes. Real-world success necessitates the holistic mastering of this electrochemistry’s kinetics, thermodynamics, and stability. Here we prove oxygen redox reactivity in the archetypical lithium- and manganese-rich layered cathodes through bulk-sensitive synchrotron-based spectroscopies, and elucidate their complete anionic/cationic charge-compensation mechanism. Furthermore, via various electroanalytical methods, we answer how the anionic/cationic interplay governs application-wise important issues—namely sluggish kinetics, large hysteresis, and voltage fade—that afflict these promising cathodes despite widespread industrial and academic efforts. We find that cationic redox is kinetically fast and without hysteresis unlike sluggish anions, which furthermore show different oxidation vs. reduction potentials. Additionally, more time spent with fully oxidized oxygen promotes voltage fade. These fundamental insights about anionic redox are indispensable for improving lithium-rich cathodes. Moreover, our methodology provides guidelines for assessing the merits of existing and future anionic redox-based high-energy cathodes, which are being discovered rapidly.Anionic redox chemistry has enabled the design of high-capacity battery cathodes for energy storage. Here, the authors demonstrate reversible anionic redox in an archetypical lithium-rich oxide via bulk-sensitive spectroscopies, further revealing its crucial role in practically important properties.

Efficient artificial mineralization route to decontaminate Arsenic(III) polluted water - the Tooeleite Way

Increasing exposure to arsenic (As) contaminated ground water is a great threat to humanity. Suitable technology for As immobilization and removal from water, especially for As(III) than As(V), is not available yet. However, it is known that As(III) is more toxic than As(V) and most groundwater aquifers, particularly the Gangetic basin in India, is alarmingly contaminated with it. In search of a viable solution here, we took a cue from the natural mineralization of Tooeleite, a mineral containing Fe(III) and As(III)ions, grown under acidic condition, in presence of SO42− ions. Complying to this natural process, we could grow and separate Tooeleite-like templates from Fe(III) and As(III) containing water at overall circumneutral pH and in absence of SO42− ions by using highly polar Zn-only ends of wurtzite ZnS nanorods as insoluble nano-acidic-surfaces. The central idea here is to exploit these insoluble nano-acidic-surfaces (called as INAS in the manuscript) as nucleation centres for Tooeleite growth while keeping the overall pH of the aqueous media neutral. Therefore, we propose a novel method of artificial mineralization of As(III) by mimicking a natural process at nanoscale.

Vanadyl-type defects in Tavorite-like NaVPO4F: from the average long range structure to local environments

Tavorite-type compositions offer rich crystal chemistry for positive electrodes in rechargeable batteries, among which LiVIIIPO4F has the highest theoretical energy density (i.e. 655 Wh kg−1). In this article, we report for the first time the synthesis of the related Na-based phase crystallizing in the Tavorite-like structure. Its in-depth structural and electronic characterization was conducted by a combination of several techniques, spanning electron and X-ray powder diffraction as well as infrared and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The magnetic susceptibility measurement reveals an average oxidation state for vanadium slightly higher than V3+. This slight oxidation is supported by infrared and X-ray absorption spectroscopies which highlight the presence of V4+[double bond, length as m-dash]O vanadyl-type defects leading to an approximated NaVIII0.85(VIVO)0.15(PO4)F0.85 composition. In this material, the profile of the diffraction lines is governed by a strong strain anisotropic broadening arising from the competitive formation between the ionic V3+–F and the covalent V4+[double bond, length as m-dash]O bonds. This material shows a limited extraction of sodium, close to 15% of the theoretical capacity. Indeed, its electrochemical properties are strongly inhibited by the intrinsic low sodium mobility in the Tavorite framework.

Chemical Activity of the Peroxide/Oxide Redox Couple: Case Study of Ba5Ru2O11 in Aqueous and Organic Solvents

The finding that triggering the redox activity of oxygen ions within the lattice of transition metal oxides can boost the performances of materials used in energy storage and conversion devices such as Li-ion batteries or oxygen evolution electrocatalysts has recently spurred intensive and innovative research in the field of energy. While experimental and theoretical efforts have been critical in understanding the role of oxygen nonbonding states in the redox activity of oxygen ions, a clear picture of the redox chemistry of the oxygen species formed upon this oxidation process is still missing. This can be, in part, explained by the complexity in stabilizing and studying these species once electrochemically formed. In this work, we alleviate this difficulty by studying the phase Ba5Ru2O11, which contains peroxide O22– groups, as oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalyst and Li-ion battery material. Combining physical characterization and electrochemical measurements, we demonstrate that peroxide groups can easily be oxidized at relatively low potential, leading to the formation of gaseous dioxygen and to the instability of the oxide. Furthermore, we demonstrate that, owing to the stabilization at high energy of peroxide, the high-lying energy of the empty σ* antibonding O–O states limits the reversibility of the electrochemical reactions when the O22–/O2– redox couple is used as redox center for Li-ion battery materials or as OER redox active sites. Overall, this work suggests that the formation of true peroxide O22– states are detrimental for transition metal oxides used as OER catalysts and Li-ion battery materials. Rather, oxygen species with O–O bond order lower than 1 would be preferred for these applications.