Investigation of the synthesis and characterization of Li2M(SO4)2 where M = Cu, Cr or V for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Many researchers have put their efforts in developing various types of sulphate-based cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries such as Li2Co(SO4)2, Li2Mn(SO4)2, Li2Fe(SO4)2 and many others. This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of three compounds of the Li2M(SO4)2 family, where M = Cu, Cr, or V. The three compounds were successfully synthesized using sol-gel and solid-state (ball milling) methods. All compounds were characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM, and four-point probe instruments. All synthesized compounds correspond to cubic structures according to Bragg's law. Li2Cu(SO4)2 and Li2VO(SO4)2 are conductive under sol-gel method with 2.3 V and 0.16 V. Some on the compounds synthesised have shown structures under SEM, with pores which have small diameters which is a requirement for the pore size in lithium-ion batteries.