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Characterization of Electrode Materials for Lithium Ion and Sodium Ion Batteries Using Synchrotron Radiation Techniques
Published on: November 11, 2013
Impact of lithium-ion ordering on surface electronic states of Li(x)CoO2
1Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577, Japan and Center for Emergent Matter Science, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.
Abstract:
Li(x)CoO(2) exhibits intriguing electronic properties due to a strong electron correlation and complex interplay between Co and Li ions. However, fundamental understanding of the nanoscale distribution of Li ions and its effect on the electronic properties remains unclear. We use scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory to elucidate the degree of Li(x)CoO(2) surface electronic state modification that can be achieved by Li ordering. The surface Li ions are highly mobile and preferentially form a (1 × 1) hexagonal lattice, whereas the surface CoO(2) layer shows metallic and insulating phases, indicating the coexistence of ordered and disordered Li ions in the subsurface layer. These results provide evidence of novel electronic properties produced by spatially inhomogeneous Li-ordering patterns.
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To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...

