Oxalate-mediated long-range antiferromagnetism order in Fe2(C2O4)3·4H2O.

In this paper we reveal for the first time the magnetic properties of iron oxalate tetrahydrate, a compound commercialized for decades but whose structure was solved only recently. Susceptibility measurements and neutron powder diffraction experiments reveal the establishment of a long-range magnetic order below 25 K. The magnetic structure can be described with a propagation vector k = (½, ½, 0). The magnetic ordered phase is characterized by collinear antiferromagnetic couplings between adjacent Fe(3+) atoms, whatever the chelating mode of the oxalate ligand. Moreover, an analysis of the topology reveals that a fourth Fe-Fe magnetic coupling has to be taken into account to generate 3D long range order.

Long-range antiferromagnetic order in malonate-based compounds Na2M(H2C3O4)2·2H2O (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni).

The recently discovered metal-malonate compounds of formulae Na2M(H2C3O4)2·2H2O with M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni are investigated for their magnetic properties. While the Cu-based material is a weak ferromagnet, all other members present antiferromagnetic interactions. Neutron powder diffraction experiments reveal the establishment of a long range magnetic order at low temperature in the Pbca Shubnikov magnetic group. The magnetic structures are characterized by antiferromagnetic layers perpendicular to [001]. These layers are stacked antiparallel (M = Fe) or parallel (M = Mn, Ni) in the (a, c) plane. Magnetic moments are collinear to b for the former and to c for the latter. The M = Co malonate exhibits a non-collinear magnetic structure intermediate between the two latter, with components along b and c. Density functional theory calculations indicate that the dominant magnetic interaction, J1, occurs along a malonate group via a carboxylate and links two transition metals within the same layer, while other interactions (inter- or intra-layer) are much weaker, so that these compounds present the dominant characteristics of 2D-antiferromagnets.

Origin of voltage decay in high-capacity layered oxide electrodes.

Although Li-rich layered oxides (Li1+xNiyCozMn1-x-y-zO2 > 250 mAh g(-1)) are attractive electrode materials providing energy densities more than 15% higher than today's commercial Li-ion cells, they suffer from voltage decay on cycling. To elucidate the origin of this phenomenon, we employ chemical substitution in structurally related Li2RuO3 compounds. Li-rich layered Li2Ru1-yTiyO3 phases with capacities of ~240 mAh g(-1) exhibit the characteristic voltage decay on cycling. A combination of transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies reveals that the migration of cations between metal layers and Li layers is an intrinsic feature of the charge-discharge process that increases the trapping of metal ions in interstitial tetrahedral sites. A correlation between these trapped ions and the voltage decay is established by expanding the study to both Li2Ru1-ySnyO3 and Li2RuO3; the slowest decay occurs for the cations with the largest ionic radii. This effect is robust, and the finding provides insights into new chemistry to be explored for developing high-capacity layered electrodes that evade voltage decay.

Weak localization and Mott state in two-dimensional Sr3V5S11.

We report on the high-pressure synthesis, structural study and physical properties of a new layered compound, Sr3V5S11. Single-crystals of ~0.3 mm size were synthesized at the optimized growth conditions of 6 GPa and 1600 ° C. The refinement of x-ray diffraction data indicates that the crystal structure is monoclinic (space group C2/c), with cell parameters a = 8.7165(7) Å, b = 15.1096(13) Å, c = 23.111(2) Å, and ß = 98.734(9). The structure consists of a stacking of VS2 layers with a CdI2-type structure within the ab-plane connected by trimers of face-sharing VS6 octahedra oriented along the out-of-plane direction. Salient features are a 4 + valence of the V ions in the planes and a 3 + valence in the trimers and a large stripe-like modulation of the V-V distances in the planes leading to quasi-one-dimensional properties. The magnetic susceptibility displays a large temperature-independent contribution, χ0, in addition to a moderate Curie-Weiss term. In the 300-120 K range, the electrical resistivity is described well by a semiconducting-like behaviour with a room-temperature value of ~1.2-10 mΩ cm and a modest activation energy of ~13.5 meV. At lower temperatures, a crossover to a one-dimensional variable range hopping regime is observed, supporting a scenario of a correlated 1D system.

Li(4)NiTeO(6) as a positive electrode for Li-ion batteries.

Layered Li4NiTeO6 was shown to reversibly release/uptake ∼2 lithium ions per formula unit with fair capacity retention upon long cycling. The Li electrochemical reactivity mechanism differs from that of Li2MO3 and is rooted in the Ni(4+)/Ni(2+) redox couple, that takes place at a higher potential than conventional LiNi1-xMnxO2 compounds. We explain this in terms of inductive effect due to Te(6+) ions (or the TeO6(6-) moiety).

Reversible anionic redox chemistry in high-capacity layered-oxide electrodes.

Li-ion batteries have contributed to the commercial success of portable electronics and may soon dominate the electric transportation market provided that major scientific advances including new materials and concepts are developed. Classical positive electrodes for Li-ion technology operate mainly through an insertion-deinsertion redox process involving cationic species. However, this mechanism is insufficient to account for the high capacities exhibited by the new generation of Li-rich (Li(1+x)Ni(y)Co(z)Mn(1-x-y-z)O2) layered oxides that present unusual Li reactivity. In an attempt to overcome both the inherent composition and the structural complexity of this class of oxides, we have designed structurally related Li2Ru(1-y)Sn(y)O3 materials that have a single redox cation and exhibit sustainable reversible capacities as high as 230 mA h g(-1). Moreover, they present good cycling behaviour with no signs of voltage decay and a small irreversible capacity. We also unambiguously show, on the basis of an arsenal of characterization techniques, that the reactivity of these high-capacity materials towards Li entails cumulative cationic (M(n+)→M((n+1)+)) and anionic (O(2-)→O2(2-)) reversible redox processes, owing to the d-sp hybridization associated with a reductive coupling mechanism. Because Li2MO3 is a large family of compounds, this study opens the door to the exploration of a vast number of high-capacity materials.

Low-potential sodium insertion in a NASICON-type structure through the Ti(III)/Ti(II) redox couple.

We report the direct synthesis of powder Na3Ti2(PO4)3 together with its low-potential electrochemical performance and crystal structure elucidation for the reduced and oxidized phases. First-principles calculations at the density functional theory level have been performed to gain further insight into the electrochemistry of Ti(IV)/Ti(III) and Ti(III)/Ti(II) redox couples in these sodium superionic conductor (NASICON) compounds. Finally, we have validated the concept of full-titanium-based sodium ion cells through the assembly of symmetric cells involving Na3Ti2(PO4)3 as both positive and negative electrode materials operating at an average potential of 1.7 V.

A 3.90 V iron-based fluorosulphate material for lithium-ion batteries crystallizing in the triplite structure.

Li-ion batteries have empowered consumer electronics and are now seen as the best choice to propel forward the development of eco-friendly (hybrid) electric vehicles. To enhance the energy density, an intensive search has been made for new polyanionic compounds that have a higher potential for the Fe²âº/Fe³âº redox couple. Herein we push this potential to 3.90 V in a new polyanionic material that crystallizes in the triplite structure by substituting as little as 5 atomic per cent of Mn for Fe in Li(Fe(1-δ)Mn(δ))SO4F. Not only is this the highest voltage reported so far for the Fe²âº/Fe³âº redox couple, exceeding that of LiFePO4 by 450 mV, but this new triplite phase is capable of reversibly releasing and reinserting 0.7-0.8 Li ions with a volume change of 0.6% (compared with 7 and 10% for LiFePO4 and LiFeSO4F respectively), to give a capacity of ~125 mA h g⁻¹.

Synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of the NaCoXO4F·2H2O phases where X = S and Se.

A novel hydrated fluoroselenate NaCoSeO(4)F·2H(2)O has been synthesized, and its structure determined. Like its sulfate homologue, NaCoSO(4)F·2H(2)O, the structure contains one-dimensional chains of corner-sharing MO(4)F(2) octahedra linked together through F atoms sitting in a trans configuration with respect to each other. The magnetic properties of the two phases have been investigated using powder neutron diffraction and susceptibility measurements which indicate antiferromagnetic ordering along the length of the chains and result in a G-type antiferromagnetic ground state. Both compounds exhibit a Néel temperature near 4 K, and undergo a field-induced magnetic phase transition in fields greater than 3 kOe.

Nature of the polyamorphic transition in ice under pressure.

We present a neutron diffraction study of the transition between low-density and high-density amorphous ice (LDA and HDA, respectively) under pressure at approximately 0.3 GPa, at 130 K. All the intermediate diffraction patterns can be accurately decomposed into a linear combination of the patterns of pure LDA and HDA. This progressive transformation of one distinct phase to another, with phase coexistence at constant pressure and temperature, gives direct evidence of a classical first-order transition. In situ Raman measurements and visual observation of the reverse transition strongly support these conclusions, which have implications for models of water and the proposed second critical point in the undercooled region of liquid water.