Anionic and Cationic Redox Processes in β-Li2IrO3 and Their Structural Implications on Electrochemical Cycling in Li-Ion Cell

The recent discovery of anionic redox as a means to increase the energy density of transition metal oxide positive electrodes is now a well established approach in the Li-ion battery field. However, the science behind this new phenomenon pertaining to various Li-rich materials is still debated. Thus, it is of paramount importance to develop a robust set of analytical techniques to address this issue. Herein, we use a suite of synchrotron-based X-ray spectroscopies as well as diffraction techniques to thoroughly characterize the different redox processes taking place in a model Li-rich compound, the tridimentional hyperhoneycomb β-Li2IrO3. We clearly establish that the reversible removal of Li+ from this compound is associated to a previously described reductive coupling mechanism and the formation of the M-(O-O) and M-(O-O)* states. We further show that the respective contributions to these states determine the spectroscopic response for both Ir L3-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray photoemissions spectroscopy (XPS). Although the high covalency and the robust tridimentional structure of this compound enable a high degree of reversibile delithiation, we found that pushing the limits of this charge compensation mechanism has significant effects on the local as well as average structure, leading to electrochemical instability over cycling and voltage decay. Overall, this work highlights the practical limits to which anionic redox can be exploited and sheds some light on the nature of the oxidized species formed in certain lithium-rich compounds.<br>

Anionic and Cationic Redox Processes in β-Li2IrO3 and Their Structural Implications on Electrochemical Cycling in Li-Ion Cell

The recent discovery of anionic redox as a means to increase the energy density of transition metal oxide positive electrodes is now a well established approach in the Li-ion battery field. However, the science behind this new phenomenon pertaining to various Li-rich materials is still debated. Thus, it is of paramount importance to develop a robust set of analytical techniques to address this issue. Herein, we use a suite of synchrotron-based X-ray spectroscopies as well as diffraction techniques to thoroughly characterize the different redox processes taking place in a model Li-rich compound, the tridimentional hyperhoneycomb β-Li2IrO3. We clearly establish that the reversible removal of Li+ from this compound is associated to a previously described reductive coupling mechanism and the formation of the M-(O-O) and M-(O-O)* states. We further show that the respective contributions to these states determine the spectroscopic response for both Ir L3-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray photoemissions spectroscopy (XPS). Although the high covalency and the robust tridimentional structure of this compound enable a high degree of reversibile delithiation, we found that pushing the limits of this charge compensation mechanism has significant effects on the local as well as average structure, leading to electrochemical instability over cycling and voltage decay. Overall, this work highlights the practical limits to which anionic redox can be exploited and sheds some light on the nature of the oxidized species formed in certain lithium-rich compounds.<br>

Atomic layer deposited zinc oxysulfide anodes in Li-ion batteries: an efficient solution for electrochemical instability and low conductivity

Superior performance of ALD-ZnOS anodes in Li-ion batteries with optimum mass loading as compared to both ZnO and ZnS.

Electrochemical instability of highly fluorinated tetraphenyl borates and syntheses of their respective biphenyls

The electrochemical instability of highly fluorinated tetraphenyl borates was studied by cyclic voltammetry and anodic formation of the respective biphenyls.

Computational Studies of Interfacial Reactions at Anode Materials: Initial Stages of the Solid-Electrolyte-Interphase Layer Formation

Understanding interfacial phenomena such as ion and electron transport at dynamic interfaces is crucial for revolutionizing the development of materials and devices for energy-related applications. Moreover, advances in this field would enhance the progress of related electrochemical interfacial problems in biology, medicine, electronics, and photonics, among others. Although significant progress is taking place through in situ experimentation, modeling has emerged as the ideal complement to investigate details at the electronic and atomistic levels, which are more difficult or impossible to be captured with current experimental techniques. Among the most important interfacial phenomena, side reactions occurring at the surface of the negative electrodes of Li-ion batteries, due to the electrochemical instability of the electrolyte, result in the formation of a solid-electrolyte interphase layer (SEI). In this work, we briefly review the main mechanisms associated with SEI reduction reactions of aprotic organic solvents studied by quantum mechanical methods. We then report the results of a Kinetic Monte Carlo method to understand the initial stages of SEI growth.