Abstract: Layered Li-rich/Mn-rich NMC (LMR-NMC) is characterized by high initial specific capacities of more than 250 mA h g(-1), lower cost due to a lower Co content and higher thermal stability than LiCoO2. However, its commercialisation is currently still hampered by significant voltage fade, which is caused by irreversible transition metal ion migration to emptied Li positionsviatetrahedral interstices upon electrochemical cycling. This structural change is strongly correlated with anionic redox chemistry of the oxygen sublattice and has a detrimental effect on electrochemical performance. In a fully charged state, up to 4.8 Vvs.Li/Li+, Mn4+ is prone to migrate to the Li layer. The replacement of Mn4+ for an isovalent cation such as Sn4+ which does not tend to adopt tetrahedral coordination and shows a higher metal-oxygen bond strength is considered to be a viable strategy to stabilize the layered structure upon extended electrochemical cycling, hereby decreasing voltage fade. The influence of Sn4+ on the voltage fade in partially charged LMR-NMC is not yet reported in the literature, and therefore, we have investigated the structure and the corresponding electrochemical properties of LMR-NMC with different Sn concentrations. We determined the substitution limit of Sn4+ in Li1.2Ni0.13Co0.13Mn0.54-xSnxO2 by powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy to be x approximate to 0.045. The limited solubility of Sn is subsequently confirmed by density functional theory calculations. Voltage fade for x= 0 andx= 0.027 has been comparatively assessed within the 3.00 V-4.55 V (vs.Li/Li+) potential window, from which it is concluded that replacing Mn4+ by Sn4+ cannot be considered as a viable strategy to inhibit voltage fade within this window, at least with the given restricted doping level.

Abstract: The layered structure of Sr21Bi8Cu2(CO3)(2)O-41 (Z = 2) was determined by transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction refinement in space group P6(3)/mcm (No. 194), with a = 10.0966(3)angstrom and c = 26.3762(5)angstrom. This original 10L-type structure is built from two structural blocks, namely, [Sr15Bi6Cu2(CO3)O-29] and [Sr6Bi2(CO3)O-12]. The Bi5+ cations form [Bi2O10] dimers, whereas the Cu2+ and C atoms occupy infinite tunnels running along (c) over right arrow. The nature of the different blocks and layers is discussed with regard to the existing hexagonal layered compounds. Sr21Bi8Cu2(CO3)(2)O-41 is insulating and paramagnetic.

Abstract: <script type='text/javascript'>document.write(unpmarked('Li-rich NMC are considered nowadays as one of the most promising candidates for high energy density cathodes. One significant challenge is nested in adjusting their synthesis conditions to reach optimum electrochemical performance, but no consensus has been reached yet on the ideal synthesis protocol. Herein, we revisited the elaboration of Li-rich NMC electrodes by focusing on the science involved through each synthesis steps using carbonate Ni0.1625Mn0.675Co0.1625CO3 precursor coprecipitation combined with solid state synthesis. We demonstrated the effect of precursors concentration on the kinetics of the precipitation reaction and provided clues to obtain spherically agglomerated NMC carbonates of different sizes. Moreover, we highlighted the strong impact of the Li2CO3/NMC carbonate ratio on the morphology and particles size of Li-rich NMC and subsequently on their electrochemical performance. Ratio of 1.35 was found to reproducibly give the best performance with namely a first discharge capacity of 269 mAh g(-1) and capacity retention of 89.6% after 100 cycles. We hope that our results, which reveal how particle size, morphology, and phase composition affect the materials electrochemical performance, will help in reconciling literature data while providing valuable fundamental information for up scaling approaches.'));

Abstract: The factors mediating cation ordering in the scheelite-based molybdates and tungstates are discussed on the basis of the incommensurately modulated crystal structures of the CaEu2(BO4)(4) (B = Mo, W) red phosphors solved from high-resolution synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data. Monoclinic CaEu2(WO4)(4) adopts a (3 + 1)-dimensionally modulated structure [superspace group I2/b(alpha beta 0)00, a = 5.238 73(1)A, b = 5.266 35(1) A, c = 11.463 19(9) A, gamma = 91.1511(2)degrees, q = 0.56153(6)a* + 0.7708(9)b*, R-F = 0.050, R-p = 0.069], whereas tetragonal CaEu2(MoO4)(4) is (3 + 2)-dimensionally modulated [superspace group I4(1)/ a(alpha beta 0)00(-beta alpha 0)00, a = 5.238 672(7) A, c = 11.548 43(2) A, q(1) = 035331(8)a* + 0.82068(9)b*, q(2) = -0.82068(9)a* + 0.55331(8)b*, R-F = 0.061, R-p = 0.082]. In both cases the modulation arises from the ordering of the Ca/Eu cations and the cation vacancies at the A-sublattice of the parent scheelite ABO(4) structure. The cation ordering is incomplete and better described with harmonic rather than with steplike occupational modulation functions. The structures respond to the variation of the effective charge and cation size at the A-position through the flexible geometry of the MoO42- and WO42- tetrahedra demonstrating an alternation of stretching the B-O bond lengths and bending the O-B-O bond angles. The tendency towards A-site cation ordering in scheelites is rationalized using the difference in ionic radii and concentration of the A-site vacancies as parameters and presented in the form of a structure map.

Abstract: Three new ternary copper phosphides, Sr2Cu6P5, Eu2Cu6P5, and EuCu4P3, have been synthesized from the elements in evacuated silica capsules. Eu2Cu6P5 and Sr2Cu6P5 adopt the Ca2Cu6P5-type structure, while EuCu4P3 is isostructural to BaMg4Si3 and still remains the only representative of this structure type among the ternary Cu pnictides. All three materials show metallic conductivity in the temperature range 2 K <= T <= 290 K, with no indication for superconductivity. For Eu2Cu6P5 and EuCu4P3, long-range magnetic order was observed, governed by 4f local moments on the Eu atoms with predominant ferromagnetic interactions. While Eu2Cu6P5 shows a single ferromagnetic transition at T-C = 34 K, the magnetic behavior of EuCu4P3 is more complex, giving rise to three consecutive magnetic phase transitions at 70, 43, and 18 K.

Abstract: The creation and ordering of A-cation vacancies and the effect of cation substitutions in the scheelite-type framework are investigated as a factor for controlling the scheelite-type structure and luminescence properties. AgxEu3+(2−x)/3□(1−2x)/3WO4 and AgxGd(2−x)/3−0.3Eu3+0.3□(1−2x)/3WO4 (x = 0.5−0) scheelite-type phases were synthesized by a solid state method, and their structures were investigated using a combination of transmission electron microscopy techniques and powder synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Transmission electron microscopy also revealed the (3 + 1)D incommensurately modulated character of AgxEu3+(2−x)/3□(1−2x)/3WO4 (x = 0.286, 0.2) phases. The crystal structures of the scheelite-based AgxEu3+(2−x)/3□(1−2x)/3WO4 (x = 0.5, 0.286, 0.2) red phosphors have been refined from high resolution synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data. The luminescence properties of all phases under near-ultraviolet (n-UV) light have been investigated. The excitation spectra of AgxEu3+(2−x)/3□(1−2x)/3WO4 (x = 0.5, 0.286,0.2) phosphors show the strongest absorption at 395 nm, which matches well with the commercially available n-UV-emitting GaN-based LED chip. The excitation spectra of the Eu2/3□1/3WO4 and Gd0.367Eu0.30□1/3WO4 phases exhibit the highest contribution of the charge transfer band at 250 nm and thus the most efficient energy transfer mechanism between the host and the luminescent ion as compared to direct excitation. The emission spectra of all samples indicate an intense red emission due to the 5D0 → 7F2 transition of Eu3+. Concentration dependence of the 5D0 → 7F2 emission for AgxEu(2−x)/3□(1−2x)/3WO4 samples differs from the same dependence for the earlier studied NaxEu3+(2−x)/3□(1−2x)/3MoO4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) phases. The intensity of the 5D0 → 7F2 emission is reduced almost 7 times with decreasing x from 0.5 to 0, but it practically does not change in the range from x = 0.286 to x = 0.200. The emission spectra of Gd-containing samples show a completely different trend as compared to only Eu-containing samples. The Eu3+ emission under excitation of Eu3+(5L6) level (λex = 395 nm) increases more than 2.5 times with the increasing Gd3+ concentration from 0.2 (x = 0.5) to 0.3 (x = 0.2) in the AgxGd(2−x)/3−0.3Eu3+0.3□(1−2x)/3WO4, after which it remains almost constant for higher Gd3+ concentrations.

Abstract: Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are potential cost-effective solutions for stationary energy storage applications. Unavailability of suitable anode materials, however, is one of the important barriers to the maturity of SIBs. Here, we report a Na2+xTi4O9/C composite as a promising anode candidate for SIBs with high capacity and cycling stability. This anode is characterized by a capacity of 124 mAh g(-1) (plus 11 mAh g(-1) contributed by carbon black), an average discharge potential of 0.9 V vs Na/Na+, a good rate capability and a high stability (89% capacity retention after 250 cycles at a rate of 1 degrees C). The mechanisms of sodium insertion/deinsertion and of the formation of Na2+xTi4O9/C are investigated with the aid of various ex/in situ characterization techniques. The in situ formed carbon is necessary for the formation of the reduced sodium titanate. This synthesis method may enable the convenient synthesis of other composites of crystalline phases with amorphous carbon.

Abstract: The recent revival of the Na-ion battery concept has prompted intense activities in the search for new Na-based layered oxide positive electrodes. The largest capacity to date was obtained for a Na-deficient layered oxide that relies on cationic redox processes only. To go beyond this limit, we decided to chemically manipulate these Na-based layered compounds in a way to trigger the participation of the anionic network. We herein report the electrochemical properties of a Na-rich phase Na2IrO3, which can reversibly cycle 1.5 Na+ per formula unit while not suffering from oxygen release nor cationic migrations. Such large capacities, as deduced by complementary XPS, X-ray/neutron diffraction and transmission electron microscopy measurements, arise from cumulative cationic and anionic redox processes occurring simultaneously at potentials as low as 3.0 V. The inability to remove more than 1.5 Na+ is rooted in the formation of an O1-type phase having highly stabilized Na sites as confirmed by DFT calculations, which could rationalize as well the competing metal/oxygen redox processes in Na2IrO3. This work will help to define the most fertile directions in the search for novel high energy Na-rich materials based on more sustainable elements than Ir.

Abstract: An oxide semiconductor (perovskite-type Mn2O3) is reported which has a narrow and direct bandgap of 0.45 eV and a high Vickers hardness of 15 GPa. All the known materials with similar electronic band structures (e.g., InSb, PbTe, PbSe, PbS, and InAs) play crucial roles in the semiconductor industry. The perovskite-type Mn2O3 described is much stronger than the above semiconductors and may find useful applications in different semiconductor devices, e.g., in IR detectors.

Abstract: The crystal structures of the three high-temperature polymorphs of K3AlF6 have been solved from neutron powder diffraction, synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction, and electron diffraction data. The β-phase (stable between 132 and 153 °C) and γ-phase (stable between 153 to 306 °C) can be described as unusually complex superstructures of the double-perovskite structure (K2KAlF6) which result from noncooperative tilting of the AlF6 octahedra. The β-phase is tetragonal, space group I4/m, with lattice parameters of a = 13.3862(5) Å and c = 8.5617(3) Å (at 143 °C) and Z = 10. In this phase, one-fifth of the AlF6 octahedra are rotated about the c-axis by 45° while the other four-fifths remain untilted. The large 45° rotations result in edge sharing between these AlF6 octahedra and the neighboring K-centered polyhedra, resulting in pentagonal bipyramidal coordination for four-fifths of the K+ ions that reside on the B-sites of the perovskite structure. The remaining one-fifth of the K+ ions on the B-sites retain octahedral coordination. The γ-phase is orthorhombic, space group Fddd, with lattice parameters of a = 36.1276(4) Å, b = 17.1133(2) Å, and c = 12.0562(1) Å (at 225 °C) and Z = 48. In the γ-phase, one-sixth of the AlF6 octahedra are randomly rotated about one of two directions by 45° while the other five-sixths remain essentially untilted. These rotations result in two-thirds of the K+ ions on the B-site obtaining 7-fold coordination while the other one-third remain in octahedral coordination. The δ-phase adopts the ideal cubic double-perovskite structure, space group Fmm, with a = 8.5943(1) Å at 400 °C. However, pair distribution function analysis shows that locally the δ-phase is quite different from its long-range average crystal structure. The AlF6 octahedra undergo large-amplitude rotations which are accompanied by off-center displacements of the K+ ions that occupy the 12-coordinate A-sites.

Abstract: Direct observations of the ferroelectric domain boundaries in LiNbO3 are performed using high-resolution high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging, revealing a very narrow width of the domain wall between the 180° domains. The domain walls demonstrate local side-way meandering, which results in inclinations even when the overall wall orientation follows the ferroelectric polarization. These local meanders contain kinks with “head-to-head” and “tail-to-tail” dipolar configurations and are therefore locally charged. The charged meanders are confined to a few cation layers along the polarization direction and are separated by longer stretches of straight domain walls.

Abstract: The crystal structure of the Sr2Fe2O5 brownmillerite has been investigated using electron diffraction and high resolution electron microscopy. The Sr2Fe2O5 structure demonstrates two-dimensional order: the tetrahedral chains with two mirror-related configurations (L and R) are arranged within the tetrahedral layers according to the −L−R−L−R− sequence, and the layers themselves are displaced with respect to each other over 1/2[111] or 1/2[11] vectors of the brownmillerite unit cell, resulting in different ordered stacking variants. A unified superspace model is constructed for ordered stacking sequences in brownmillerites based on the average brownmillerite structure with a = 5.5298(4)Å, b = 15.5875(12)Å, c = 5.6687(4)Å, and (3 + 1)-dimensional superspace group I2/m(0βγ)0s, q = βb* + γc*, 0 ≤ β ≤ 1/2, 0 ≤ γ ≤ 1.

Abstract: Layered Li(M,Li)O2 (where M is a transition metal) ordered rock-salt-type structures are used in advanced metal-ion batteries as one of the best hosts for the reversible intercalation of Li ions. Besides the conventional redox reaction involving oxidation/reduction of the M cation upon Li extraction/insertion, creating oxygen-located holes because of the partial oxygen oxidation increases capacity while maintaining the oxidized oxygen species in the lattice through high covalency of the M–O bonding. Typical degradation mechanism of the Li(M,Li)O2 electrodes involves partially irreversible M cation migration toward the Li positions, resulting in gradual capacity/voltage fade. Here, using LiRhO2 as a model system (isostructural and isoelectronic to LiCoO2), for the first time, we demonstrate an intimate coupling between the oxygen redox and M cation migration. A formation of the oxidized oxygen species upon electrochemical Li extraction coincides with transformation of the layered Li1–xRhO2 structure into the γ-MnO2-type rutile–ramsdellite intergrowth LiyRh3O6 structure with rutile-like [1 × 1] channels along with bigger ramsdellite-like [2 × 1] tunnels through massive and concerted Rh migration toward the empty positions in the Li layers. The oxidized oxygen dimers with the O–O distances as short as 2.26 Å are stabilized in this structure via the local Rh–O configuration reminiscent to that in the μ-peroxo-μ-hydroxo Rh complexes. The LiyRh3O6 structure is remarkably stable upon electrochemical cycling illustrating that proper structural implementation of the oxidized oxygen species can open a pathway toward deliberate employment of the anion redox chemistry in high-capacity/high-voltage positive electrodes for metal-ion batteries. Upon chemical or electrochemical oxidation, layered LiRhO2 shows a unique structural transformation that involves both cation migration and oxidation of oxygen resulting in a stable tunnel-like rutile−ramsdellite intergrowth LiyRh3O6 structure. This structure demonstrates excellent performance with the steady and reversible capacity of ∼200 mAh/g. The stability of LiyRh3O6 is rooted in the accommodation of partially oxidized oxygen species through the formation of short O−O distances that are compatible with the connectivity of RhO6 octahedra.

Abstract: High-energy lithium-rich layered transition metal oxides are capable of delivering record electrochemical capacity and energy density as positive electrodes for Li-ion batteries. Their electrochemical behavior is extremely complex due to sophisticated interplay between crystal structure, electronic structure, and defect structure. Here we unravel an extra level of this complexity by revealing that the most typical representative Li1.2Ni0.13Mn0.54Co0.13O2 material, prepared by a conventional coprecipitation technique with Na2CO3 as a precipitating agent, contains abundant coherent (001) grain boundaries with a Na-enriched P2-structured block due to segregation of the residual sodium traces. The trigonal prismatic oxygen coordination of Na triggers multiple nanoscale twinning, giving rise to incoherent (104) boundaries. The cationic layers at the (001) grain boundaries are filled with transition metal cations being Mn-depleted and Co-enriched; this makes them virtually not permeable for the Li+ cations, and therefore they negatively influence the Li diffusion in and out of the spherical agglomerates. These results demonstrate that besides the mechanisms intrinsic to the crystal and electronic structure of Li-rich cathodes, their rate capability might also be depreciated by peculiar microstructural aspects. Dedicated engineering of grain boundaries opens a way for improving inherently sluggish kinetics of these materials.