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  2. The solvation shell structures of Ca 2+ in aqueous and organic solutions probed by calcium L-edge soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and DFT/MD simulations show the coordination number of Ca 2+ to be negatively correlated with the electrolyte concentration and the steric hindrance of the solvent molecule. In this work, the calcium L-edge soft XAS demonstrates its sensitivity to the surrounding chemical environment. Additionally, the total electron yield (TEY) mode is surface sensitive because the electron penetration depth is limited to a few nanometers. Thus this study shows its implications for future battery studies, especially for probing the electrolyte/electrode interface for electrochemical reactions under in situ /operando conditions. 
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  3. Abstract

    Li‐excess disordered rocksalts (DRXs) are emerging as promising cathode materials for Li‐ion batteries due to their ability to use earth‐abundant transition metals. In this work, a new strategy based on partial Li deficiency engineering is introduced to optimize the overall electrochemical performance of DRX cathodes. Specifically, by using Mn‐based DRX as a proof‐of‐concept, it is demonstrated that the introduction of cation vacancies during synthesis (e.g., Li1.3‐xMn2+0.4‐xMn3+xNb0.3O1.6F0.4,x = 0, 0.2, and 0.4) improves both the discharge capacity and rate performance due to the more favored short‐range order in the presence of Mn3+. Density functional theory calculations and Monte Carlo simulations, in combination with spectroscopic tools, reveal that introducing 10% vacancies (Li1.1Mn2+0.2Mn3+0.2Nb0.3O1.6F0.4) enables both Mn2+/Mn3+redox and excellent Li percolation. However, a more aggressive vacancy doping (e.g., 20% vacancies in Li0.9Mn3+0.4Nb0.3O1.6F0.4) impairs performance because it induces phase separation between an Mn‐rich and a Li‐rich phase.

     
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