PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SOME LITHIUM INSERTION ANODES FOR SECONDARY LITHIUM BATTERIES

The ambient temperature preparation and characterization of LixFe2O3, LixWO2, and β-LiAl with potential applications as alternative anodes for secondary Li batteries are described. Both α and γ forms of Fe2O3 were found to insert a maximum of six Li/Fe2O3 both electrochemically and chemically. The potential plateaus associated with the electrochemical reduction of the two forms of Fe2O3 varied slightly. Both α-Li6Fe2O3 and γ-Li6Fe2O3 were amorphous and showed a practically useful rechargeable capacity of about 1 equiv of Li at the moderate rate of 0.5 mA/cm2. LixWO2 also loses substantial crystallinity upon Li insertion. However, most of the crystallinity was regained upon removal of this Li. It was found to be capable of cycling nearly 1 equiv of Li at low rates. Several Li-Al alloys having the β-LiAl structure were prepared at ambient temperature from Al powder and Li-naphthalide. The rechargeability of the chemically prepared β-LiAl was poor. © 1990, The Electrochemical Society, Inc. All rights reserved.