Mo6Se6: A New Solid‐State Electrode for Secondary Lithium Batteries

Abstract

The practical utilization of nonaqueous secondary lithium cells has never been realized, mainly because of electrode problems such as the absence of suitable cathode materials or dendritic regrowth of the lithium on the anode short circuiting the cell. Over the last few years, the cathode problem has been overcome by the discovery of new materials such as , , , etc. The crystallographic structural feature that makes these compounds attractive for batteries is that they can act as “hosts,” incorporating lithium atoms between the layers , chains , or into the channels without a irreversible change in crystal structure. However, in spite of intensive research, the anode problem still remains. We have undertaken research in this direction. Initial results of this early work are the subject of this paper. This study reports a new solid‐state electrode material which can be used both as cathode and anode in secondary lithium cells. can take up reversibly nine lithium atoms per without losing its linear chain structure, leading to a theoretical volume energy density of about 1.1 Wh/cm3, compared to 1.2 for cathodes. Another important promising possibility which arises from this work is the use of the lithiated compounds as the anode instead of lithium metal in secondary lithium cells.