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Atomic-resolution STEM-EDS studies of cation ordering in Ti-Nb oxide crystals
Sumio Iijima1, Ichiro Ohnishi2, Zheng Liu3
1Meijo University, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nagoya, 468-8502, Japan. iijimas@meijo-u.ac.jp.
Scientific Reports
|September 10, 2021
Summary
Ternary metal oxides like Ti2Nb10O29 are promising for solid lithium batteries. Researchers directly visualized atomic-level cation ordering, crucial for ion transport and battery performance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Solid-State Chemistry
Background:
- Ternary metal oxides, including Ti-Nb and Nb-W oxides, are gaining attention for energy storage applications.
- These materials feature multivalent metal ions, essential for controlling ion transport in solid lithium batteries.
- Ti2Nb10O29, a specific oxide, exhibits a unique 'block structure' formed by interconnected metal-oxygen octahedra.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cation ordering in Ti2Nb10O29 at an atomic level.
- To address the gap in recent studies that have overlooked cation ordering in battery electrode material evaluations.
- To provide direct experimental evidence of cation chemical ordering in these oxide crystals.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing advanced scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM).
- Employing energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) imaging technology.
- Achieving atomic resolution imaging to reveal cation distribution.
Main Results:
- Directly visualized the cation chemical ordering within Ti2Nb10O29 crystals at atomic resolution.
- Provided experimental evidence contradicting recent studies that neglected cation ordering.
- Confirmed the presence and distribution of cations within the 'block structure'.
Conclusions:
- Cation ordering in Ti2Nb10O29 is directly observable at the atomic scale.
- This finding is critical for understanding and optimizing ion transport in solid lithium batteries.
- Future research on these oxides for energy storage should incorporate cation ordering analysis.
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