title: Synthesis of tetrahedral LiFeO2 and its behavior as a cathode in rechargeable lithium batteries.
abstract: Synthesis and structural characterization of the first LiFeO2 compound with tetrahedrally coordinated Fe3+ is reported. When used as a positive intercalation electrode in a lithium cell, it can store charge of up to 120 mAhg(-1) at a rate of 100 mAg(-1). However, it converts to the defect spinel LiFe5O8 on cycling. By combining results from powder X-ray diffraction, differential electrochemical mass spectrometry, electrochemical cycling, and TG-MS, it is shown that such conversion, which involved oxygen loss, is not associated with direct O2 gas evolution but instead reaction with the electrolyte. We suggest that intercalation/deintercalation is accompanied by the exchange of Li+ by H+ in the material and subsequent loss of H2O, thus converting LiFeO2 to the defect spinel LiFe5O8 on cycling.
authors.affiliation: EaStCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 9ST, UK.
authors.forename: A Robert
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: Daniel W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Tee
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: La Mantia
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Novák
authors.forename: Peter G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Bruce