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Abstract Li2MnO3has been contemplated as a high‐capacity cathode candidate for Li‐ion batteries; however, it evolves oxygen during battery charging under ambient conditions, which hinders a reversible reaction. However, it is unclear if this irreversible process still holds under subambient conditions. Here, the low‐temperature electrochemical properties of Li2MnO3in an aqueous LiCl electrolyte are evaluated and a reversible discharge capacity of 302 mAh g−1at a potential of 1.0 V versus Ag/AgCl at −78 °C with good rate capability and stable cycling performance, in sharp contrast to the findings in a typical Li2MnO3cell cycled at room temperature, is observed. However, the results reveal that the capacity does not originate from the reversible oxygen oxidation in Li2MnO3but the reversible Cl2(l)/Cl−(aq.) redox from the electrolyte. The results demonstrate the good catalytic properties of Li2MnO3to promote the Cl2/Cl−redox at low temperatures.
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Stacking‐Fault Enhanced Oxygen Redox in Li 2 MnO 3
Abstract Lattice oxygen redox yields anomalous capacity and can significantly increase the energy density of layered Li‐rich transition metal oxide cathodes, garnering tremendous interest. However, the mechanism behind O redox in these cathode materials is still under debate, in part due to the challenges in directly observing O and following associated changes upon electrochemical cycling. Here, with17O NMR as a direct probe of O activities, it is demonstrated that stacking faults enhance O redox participation compared with Li2MnO3domains without stacking faults. This work is concluded by combining both ex situ and in situ17O NMR to investigate the evolution of O at 4i, 8j sites from monoclinicC2/mand 6c(1), 6c(2), 6c(3) sites from the stacking faults (P3112). These measurements are further corroborated and explained by first‐principles calculations finding a stabilization effect of stacking faults in delithiated Li2MnO3. In situ17O NMR tracks O activities with temporal resolution and provides a quantitative determination of reversible O redox versus irreversible processes that form short covalent OO bonds. This work provides valuable insights into the O redox reactions in Li‐excess layered cathodes, which may inspire new material design for cathodes with high specific capacity.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1847038
- PAR ID:
- 10367025
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Advanced Energy Materials
- Volume:
- 12
- Issue:
- 18
- ISSN:
- 1614-6832
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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