Influence of Defect Reaction on Electrical/Electrochemical Behaviors of Oxide Electrodes for Li Batteries

Abstract

Functional oxides are known to show interesting electrical properties by introduction of desired defect structures. Electrode performance in Li batteries is also highly dependent on its defect reaction through synthesis and/or charging-discharging cycles. For examples, the reversible capacity of layered cathode such as LiCoO2 is limited by its highly defective layered structure when state of charge greater than 50%. On the other hand, capacity of spinel or olivine cathodes shows higher delithiation rate due to better structural stability. In this study, the behavior of Li-rich layered oxide cathode and Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) are investigated and illustrated based on their defect reactions. For examples, the as-received zero-stain anode oxide Li4Ti5O12 shows conductivity as low as 10-9 S/cm and then causes high interface polarization and low rate capability. With proper processing under low pO2, the electron conduction and electrochemical properties of LTO was significantly improved. Such property enhancement may be well illustrated by defect reaction under low pO2 environment. In other words, lattice oxygen near surface of LTO tends to be removed under very low pO2. Consequently, positively charged oxygen vacancy is formed and then charge-compensated by the creation of two negatively charged electrons. These electrons are eventually associated with tetravalent Ti ions. The fast electron pathway is established by the coexistence of Ti+3 and Ti+4 in Ti cation sublattice. Furthermore, Li-rich layer-structured cathode formulated as xLi2MnO3-(1-x)LiMO2(M = Mn, Ni, Co, etc.) during 1st charging process was found to exhibit oxygen oxidation, vacancy formation. In the following discharging, the manganese reduction (or activation) occurred. As a result, a reversible capacity as high as 250 mAh/g was observed (Fig. 1(a)). Such redox reactions may be illustrated by defect chemistry. In other words, during 1st charging, electrons and oxygen was extracted from lattice oxygen with the formation of oxygen vacancies. In the next discharging process, electrons was accepted by cathode oxides accompanied by valence changing of Mn+4 to Mn+3. It is known that typical electrochemical reactions are highly dependent up movement of electrons and ions. With understanding of defect reaction during materials processing and charging/discharging, advanced electrode materials with much improved electrochemical and/or stability may be developed.