Journal of Power Sources, Vol.159, No.2, 1389-1394, 2006
EPR studies of Li deintercalation from LiCoMnO4 spinel-type electrode active material
The electrochemical extraction/insertion of Li from/into LiCoMnO4 in the potential range of 3.7-5.25 V is studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) of Mn4+. Structural characterization of initial LiCoMnO4 has been performed by neutron diffraction. The EPR spectra are consistent with a single-phase mechanism of electrochemical extraction/insertion of Li from/into LiCoMnO4. During Li extraction, the intensity of the main EPR signal due to Mn4+ ions in Mn4+/Co3+ environment decreases drastically concomitantly with the appearance of resonance absorption from magnetically correlated Mn4+-Co4+ spins. From EPR, the complex [Con+-Mn3+-Mn4+] Clusters indicative of the oxygen non-stoichiometry of LiCoMnO4 also take part in the electrochemical reaction, especially up to 4.7 V. During the Li reinsertion, the EPR signal from Mn4+ ions in Mn4+/Co3+ environment is recovered, but its intensity remains lower (30%) as compared to that of the initial composition, which is consistent with an unrecovered composition of LiCoMnO4 electrode after first charge/discharge. Contrary to the narrow main signal, there is a reverse reduction of the paramagnetic ions present in the clusters, but their oxidation state as compared to the initial composition is not recovered. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords:cathode materials;lithium cobalt-manganese spinel oxides;EPR spectroscopy;structural characterisation;lithium-ion batteries