A study of binary iron/lithium organometallic complexes as single source precursors to solid state cathode materials for potential Li ion battery application

Solid state and solution phase decomposition of organometallic half sandwich and sandwich complexes of type [CpFeCODLi × DME] 1, [CpFeCODLi × TMEDA] 2 and [(Cp)2FeLi2 × 2 TMEDA] 3 (Cp = cyclopentadienyl, COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene, DME = dimethoxyethane, TMEDA = tetramethylethylenediamine) derived from ferrocene, yield different kinds of lithium ferrites under oxidative and inert conditions. Thermogravimetry (TG) and TG coupled mass spectrometry of these compounds indicate that the decomposition begins above 170 °C for 1, 185 °C for 2 and 190 °C for 3 with removal of all the organic ligands. In the absence of oxygen, compounds 1, 2 and 3 decompose to a mixture of Fe, Fe3C and Li2O/Li2CO3 at temperatures above 200 °C. Amorphous α-LiFeO2 is formed in the temperature range of 200–400 °C in the presence of oxygen. Crystalline α-LiFeO2 is formed only above 400 °C using 1. Elemental analysis of the LiFeO2 obtained from 1 indicates a drastic decrease in the carbon and hydrogen content with the increase in the oxidation temperature. XRD reveals the presence of Li2CO3 as second phase formed for precursors 1, 2, and 3 under oxidative conditions. Solution phase decomposition of 2 and 3 in the absence of oxygen followed by annealing at 600 °C yields Li2Fe3O5, Li5FeO4 and Fe3C depending on the solvent to precursor ratio in contrast to the α-LiFeO2 phase formed under pure solid state decomposition conditions. However, all lithium ferrites (Li2Fe3O5, Li5FeO4) are converted to α-LiFeO2 when oxidized above 500 °C. The α-LiFeO2 products were further characterized by IR, XPS, and TEM. Electrochemical analysis of the α-LiFeO2 was performed, showing a moderate initial capacity of 13 mAh/g.

Graphical abstractSingle source organometallic precursors containing Li, Fe in varying stöchiometric ratios, allow synthesis of nanocrystalline LiFeO2 as well as other lithium ferrites under moderate temperature by solid state decomposition as well as solution phase routes.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights► Single source precursors deliver Fe and Li in varying stöchiometric ratios. ► Nanocrystalline LiFeO2 and ferrites can be synthesized. ► A solid state decomposition under nanoscale conditions is possible. ► A solution phase deposition is possible to obtain LiFeO2.