Cu{sub2}Sb thin film electrodes prepared by pulsed laser deposition.

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2004 · J. Electrochem. Soc.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/1.1758719· OSTI ID:961461

Song, S -W; Reade, R P; Cairns, E J; Vaughey, J T; Thackeray, M M; Striebel, K A; LBNL,

Thin films of Cu{sub 2}Sb, prepared on stainless steel and copper substrates with a pulsed laser deposition technique at room temperature, have been evaluated as electrodes in lithium cells. The electrodes operate by a lithium insertion/copper extrusion reaction mechanism, the reversibility of which is superior when copper substrates are used, particularly when electrochemical cycling is restricted to the voltage range 0.65-1.4 V vs. Li/Li{sup +}. The superior performance of Cu{sub 2}Sb films on copper is attributed to the more active participation of the extruded copper in the functioning of the electrode. The continual and extensive extrusion of copper on cycling the cells leads to the isolation of Li{sub 3}Sb particles and a consequent formation of Sb. Improved cycling stability of both types of electrodes was obtained when cells were cycled between 0.65 and 1.4 V. A low-capacity lithium-ion cell with Cu{sub 2}Sb and LiNi{sub 0.8}Co{sub 0.15}Al{sub 0.05}O{sub 2} electrodes, laminated from powders, shows excellent cycling stability over the voltage range 3.15-2.2 V, the potential difference corresponding to approximately 0.65-1.4 V for the Cu2Sb electrode vs. Li/Li{sup +}. Chemical self-discharge of lithiated Cu{sub 2}Sb electrodes by reaction with the electrolyte was severe when cells were allowed to relax on open circuit after reaching a lower voltage limit of 0.1 V. The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer formed on Cu2Sb electrodes after cells had been cycled between 1.4 and 0.65 V vs. Li/Li{sup +} was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; the SEI layer contributes to the large irreversible capacity loss on the initial cycle of these cells. The data contribute to a better understanding of the electrochemical behavior of intermetallic electrodes in rechargeable lithium batteries.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
• Sponsoring Organization: SC
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-06CH11357
• OSTI ID: 961461
• Report Number(s): ANL/CMT/JA-48008
• Journal Information: J. Electrochem. Soc., Journal Name: J. Electrochem. Soc. Journal Issue: 7 ; 2004 Vol. 151; ISSN 0013-4651; ISSN JESOAN
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: ENGLISH

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ANTIMONY ALLOYS
CAPACITY
COPPER
COPPER ALLOYS
DEPOSITION
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYTES
EXTRUSION
FILMS
LASERS
LAYERS
LITHIUM
LITHIUM IONS
PARTICLES
PERFORMANCE
POTENTIALS
POWDERS
REACTION KINETICS
SOLID ELECTROLYTES
SPECTROSCOPY
STABILITY
STAINLESS STEELS
SUBSTRATES
THIN FILMS