Energy storage in composites of a redox couple host and a lithium ion host

The quest for new positive electrodes for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries has been escalating in recent years. Until now, candidates of positive electrode were limited to crystals that contain both redox-active element (usually transition-metal) and lithium ion in the open framework with few exceptions. Here, we demonstrate lithium-free compounds, a material with little activity by itself, can be activated electrochemically by addition of LiF after the first charging. This general strategy is exemplified in various lithium-free iron compounds. Reversible lithium ion extraction and reinsertion take place for Fe2+F2, Fe2+SO4, and Fe22+P2O7, when blended with LiF in nanoscale, in which a simultaneous valence change of Fe2+/3+ occurs above 3 V. FeF2–LiF could deliver 190 mAh g−1 (∼3.53 V) at 50 mA g−1 which is even higher energy density than that crystalline LiFePO4 can offer. Various combinations of blending are possible using this approach, which can bring a new branch of material group for positive electrodes in lithium-ion batteries.

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► Novel composite materials of a redox couple host and a lithium ion host are suggested as positive electrodes for lithium-ion batteries.
► Lithium-free compounds can be activated forming new host structures in situ when blending with lithium compounds after initial charge.
► Since various combinations of blending are possible, it can expand choice of material group for positive electrodes.