Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5425801 | Surface Science | 2007 | 4 Pages |
Surface morphology in 3.5 Ã 3.5 μm2 area of spinel LiMn2O4, which is a typical cathode material for Li ion secondary batteries, is studied using an atomic force microscopy (AFM) with a conductive probe. Negative bias voltage is applied to the probe to attract Li+ ions toward LiMn2O4 surface during the AFM observation. Before applying the voltage (0 V), the whole LiMn2O4 surface is covered with scale-shaped grains. Under the negative voltage of 5.5 V, electric current abruptly increases, indicating Li+ ionic conduction. Simultaneously, part of the scale-shaped grains expand and flatten. Jahn-Teller phase transition, which is induced by the repulsive interaction between the Mn-eg and O-2p electrons in Li accumulated layer, is proposed as a possible origin of these results.