Phase transformations during electrochemical incorporation of lithium in intermetallic compounds of aluminum

Abstract

Comparative study of the regularities of the reaction and specific features of phase formation during electrochemical incorporation of lithium from propylene carbonate solutions in intermetallic aluminum-based compounds (CuAl2, Mg2Al3, and NiAl) and pure metals (Al, Cu, Mg, and Ni) was performed. The initial stage of the process was shown to be dissolution of lithium in the solid phase limited by diffusion for all studied substrates. Trace amounts of lithium-containing by-products, were detected in NiAl, Ni, and Cu samples. The subsequent change in the limiting stage is related to the beginning of formation of a new phase: metallic lithium (on Mg2Al3, NiAl, Mg, Ni, and Cu) or LiAl (on Al and CuAl2 cathodes). In the latter case, the solid-phase substitution occurs, which is formally described by the equation: CuAl2+2Li++2e→2LiAl+Cu. Thus, the specific features of phase formation on the CuAl2 electrode correspond to the highest (among three intermetallides studied) concentration of Al atoms in the crystal lattice of the compound.