Lithium antimonite: A new class of anode material for lithium-ion battery

LiSbO3 has been synthesized by chemical mixing followed by thermal treatment at 800 °C. Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed bar shaped multifaceted grains, 0.5–4 μm long and 0.5–1 μm wide, that cluster together as soft agglomeration. 2032 type coin cell vs Li/Li+ shows a flat charge–discharge plateau together with low Li intercalation/de-intercalation potential (0.2/0.5 V). A high discharge capacity of 580 mA h g−1 has been obtained in the 1st cycle with 100% Coulombic efficiency. About 96% of the Coulombic efficiency is retained up to the 12th cycle, but at the 15th cycle, the Coulombic efficiency drops down to 88%. AC impedance spectroscopy shows an increase in electrolyte resistance (Rs) from 4.43 Ohm after the initial cycle to 12.4 Ohm after the 15th cycle indicating a probable dissolution of Sb into the electrolyte causing the capacity fading observed.