Jason Graetz

X-ray absorption study of Ti-activated sodium aluminum hydride

Ti K-edge x-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy was used to explore the Ti valence and coordination in Ti-activated sodium alanate. An empirical relationship was established between the Ti valence and the Ti K-edge onset based on a set of standards. This relationship was used to estimate oxidation states of the titanium catalyst in 2 and 4mol% Ti-doped NaAlH4. The results demonstrate that the formal titanium valence is zero in doped sodium alanate and nearly invariant during hydrogen cycling. A qualitative comparison of the edge fine structure suggests that the Ti is present on the surface in the form of amorphous TiAl3.

Tracking lithium transport and electrochemical reactions in nanoparticles

Expectations for the next generation of lithium batteries include greater energy and power densities along with a substantial increase in both calendar and cycle life. Developing new materials to meet these goals requires a better understanding of how electrodes function by tracking physical and chemical changes of active components in a working electrode. Here we develop a new, simple in-situ electrochemical cell for the transmission electron microscope and use it to track lithium transport and conversion in FeF(2) nanoparticles by nanoscale imaging, diffraction and spectroscopy. In this system, lithium conversion is initiated at the surface, sweeping rapidly across the FeF(2) particles, followed by a gradual phase transformation in the bulk, resulting in 1-3 nm iron crystallites mixed with amorphous LiF. The real-time imaging reveals a surprisingly fast conversion process in individual particles (complete in a few minutes), with a morphological evolution resembling spinodal decomposition. This work provides new insights into the inter- and intra-particle lithium transport and kinetics of lithium conversion reactions, and may help to pave the way to develop high-energy conversion electrodes for lithium-ion batteries.

Chemical Distribution and Bonding of Lithium in Intercalated Graphite: Identification with Optimized Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy

Direct mapping of the lithium spatial distribution and the chemical state provides critical information on structure-correlated lithium transport in electrode materials for lithium batteries. Nevertheless, probing lithium, the lightest solid element in the periodic table, poses an extreme challenge with traditional X-ray or electron scattering techniques due to its weak scattering power and vulnerability to radiation damage. Here, we report nanoscale maps of the lithium spatial distribution in electrochemically lithiated graphite using electron energy loss spectroscopy in the transmission electron microscope under optimized experimental conditions. The electronic structure of the discharged graphite was obtained from the near-edge fine structure of the Li and C K-edges and ab initio calculations. A 2.7 eV chemical shift of the Li K-edge, along with changes in the density of states, reveals the ionic nature of the intercalated lithium with significant charge transfer to the graphene sheets. Direct mapping of lithium in graphite revealed nanoscale inhomogeneities (nonstoichiometric regions), which are correlated with local phase separation and structural disorder (i.e., lattice distortion and dislocations) as observed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The surface solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer was also imaged and determined to have a thickness of 10-50 nm, covering both edge and basal planes with LiF as its primary inorganic component. The Li K-edge spectroscopy and mapping, combined with electron microscopy-based structural analysis provide a comprehensive view of the structure-correlated lithium intercalation in graphite and of the formation of the SEI layer.

Interface Limited Lithium Transport in Solid-State Batteries

Understanding the role of interfaces is important for improving the performance of all-solid-state lithium ion batteries. To study these interfaces, we present a novel approach for fabrication of electrochemically active nanobatteries using focused ion beams and their characterization by analytical electron microscopy. Morphological changes by scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging and correlated elemental concentration changes by electron energy loss spectroscopy mapping are presented. We provide first evidence of lithium accumulation at the anode/current collector (Si/Cu) and cathode/electrolyte (LixCoO2/LiPON) interfaces, which can be accounted for the irreversible capacity losses. Interdiffusion of elements at the Si/LiPON interface was also witnessed with a distinct contrast layer. These results highlight that the interfaces may limit the lithium transport significantly in solid-state batteries. Fabrication of electrochemically active nanobatteries also enables in situ electron microscopy observation of electrochemical phenomena in a variety of solid-state battery chemistries.

Ternary metal fluorides as high-energy cathodes with low cycling hysteresis

Transition metal fluorides are an appealing alternative to conventional intercalation compounds for use as cathodes in next-generation lithium batteries due to their extremely high capacity (3–4 times greater than the current state-of-the-art). However, issues related to reversibility, energy efficiency and kinetics prevent their practical application. Here we report on the synthesis, structural and electrochemical properties of ternary metal fluorides (M1yM21-yFx: M1, M2=Fe, Cu), which may overcome these issues. By substituting Cu into the Fe lattice, forming the solid–solution CuyFe1-yF2, reversible Cu and Fe redox reactions are achieved with surprisingly small hysteresis (<150 mV). This finding indicates that cation substitution may provide a new avenue for tailoring key electrochemical properties of conversion electrodes. Although the reversible capacity of Cu conversion fades rapidly, likely due to Cu+ dissolution, the low hysteresis and high energy suggest that a Cu-based fluoride cathode remains an intriguing candidate for rechargeable lithium batteries.

Degradation and (de)lithiation processes in the high capacity battery material LiFeBO3

Lithium iron borate (LiFeBO3) is a particularly desirable cathode material for lithium-ion batteries due to its high theoretical capacity (220 mA h g−1) and its favorable chemical constituents, which are abundant, inexpensive and non-toxic. However, its electrochemical performance appears to be severely hindered by the degradation that results from air or moisture exposure. The degradation of LiFeBO3 was studied through a wide array of ex situ and in situ techniques (X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, electron microscopy and spectroscopy) to better understand the possible degradation process and to develop methods for preventing degradation. It is demonstrated that degradation involves both Li loss from the framework of LiFeBO3 and partial oxidation of Fe(II), resulting in the creation of a stable lithium-deficient phase with a similar crystal structure to LiFeBO3. Considerable LiFeBO3 degradation occurs during electrode fabrication, which greatly reduces the accessible capacity of LiFeBO3 under all but the most stringently controlled conditions for electrode fabrication. Comparative studies on micron-sized LiFeBO3 and nanoscale LiFeBO3–carbon composite showed a very limited penetration depth (∼30 nm) of the degradation phase front into the LiFeBO3 core under near-ambient conditions. Two-phase reaction regions during delithiation and lithiation of LiFeBO3 were unambiguously identified through the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT), although it is still an open question as to whether the two-phase reaction persists across the whole range of possible Li contents. In addition to the main intercalation process with a thermodynamic potential of 2.8 V, there appears to be a second reversible electrochemical process with a potential of 1.8 V. The best electrochemical performance of LiFeBO3 was ultimately achieved by introducing carbon to minimize the crystallite size and strictly limiting air and moisture exposure to inhibit degradation.

In Situ Hydrothermal Synthesis of LiFePO4Studied by Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction

The development of high capacity, safe lithium battery materials requires new tools to better understand how reaction conditions affect nucleation and crystallization, particle size, morphology, and defects. We present a general approach for studying the synthesis of Li battery electrode materials in real time. The formation of LiFePO{sub 4} was investigated by time-resolved in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction under hydrothermal conditions, and the reaction kinetics were determined by changes of the Bragg reflections. We provide the first evidence in support of a dissolution-reprecipitation process for the formation of LiFePO{sub 4}, which occurs at temperatures as low as 105 C and appears to be a three-dimensional diffusion-controlled process. Lattice parameters and their evolution were monitored in situ, as well as the formation of antisite defects and their subsequent elimination under various synthesis conditions. The ability to characterize and tailor synthesis reactions in situ is essential for rapid optimization of the synthesis procedures and, ultimately, the development of new battery electrodes.

Regeneration of aluminium hydride using dimethylethylamine

Aluminium hydride is a compound that is well known for its high gravimetric and volumetric hydrogen densities and favorable hydrogen storage properties. Tertiary amine–aluminium hydride complexes have gained interest due to their application as chemical reducing agents and in aluminium thin-film deposition. Various complexes of these amine alane compounds have been created and studied previously, but these compounds were not formed directly using pressurized hydrogen. Here, we demonstrate the direct reaction of catalyzed aluminium, a tertiary amine, and hydrogen in a common solvent proceeds to form an amine alane adduct at moderate pressures and temperatures. A complex of aluminium hydride has been formed with dimethylethylamine by this technique. A vibrational analysis of the product of these reactions by Raman and infrared spectroscopy is presented, including experimental and theoretical data. The results clarify the molecular and vibrational structure of amine alane complexes formed by direct hydrogenation and are compared with previously determined experimental information. In addition, we demonstrate a new method for the formation of triethylamine alane using the direct hydrogenation of dimethylethylamine and catalyzed aluminium followed by transamination with triethylamine. Finally, we propose a new low energy method to regenerate AlH3 from catalyzed aluminium and hydrogen gas.

Local bonding and atomic environments in Ni-catalyzed complex hydrides.

The local bonding and atomic environments in the Ni-catalyzed destabilized system LiBH4/MgH2 and the quaternary borohydride-amide phase Li3BN2H8, were studied by x-ray absorption spectroscopy. In both cases the Ni catalyst was introduced as NiCl2 and a qualitative comparison of the Ni K-edge near-edge structure suggests the Ni2+ is reduced to primarily Ni0 after ball milling. The extended fine structure of the Ni K edge indicates that the Ni is coordinated by approximately 3 boron atoms with an interatomic distance of approximately 2.1 A and approximately 11 Ni atoms in a split shell at around 2.5 and 2.8 A. These results, and the lack of long-range order, suggest that the Ni is present as a disordered nanocluster with a local structure similar to that of Ni3B. In the fully hydrogenated phase of LiBH4/MgH2 a small amount Mg2NiHx was also present. Surface calculations performed using density functional theory suggest that the lowest kinetic barrier for H2 chemisorption occurs on the Ni3B(100) surface.

In Situ Hydrothermal Synthesis of LiFePO4 Studied by Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction

The development of high capacity, safe lithium battery materials requires new tools to better understand how reaction conditions affect nucleation and crystallization, particle size, morphology, and defects. We present a general approach for studying the synthesis of Li battery electrode materials in real time. The formation of LiFePO{sub 4} was investigated by time-resolved in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction under hydrothermal conditions, and the reaction kinetics were determined by changes of the Bragg reflections. We provide the first evidence in support of a dissolution-reprecipitation process for the formation of LiFePO{sub 4}, which occurs at temperatures as low as 105 C and appears to be a three-dimensional diffusion-controlled process. Lattice parameters and their evolution were monitored in situ, as well as the formation of antisite defects and their subsequent elimination under various synthesis conditions. The ability to characterize and tailor synthesis reactions in situ is essential for rapid optimization of the synthesis procedures and, ultimately, the development of new battery electrodes.