Niobium(V) oxynitride: synthesis, characterization, and feasibility as anode material for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

ABSTRACT: The decomposition reaction of niobium(V) oxytrichloride ammoniate to the oxynitride of niobium in the 5+ oxidation state was developed in a methodological way. By combining elemental analysis, Rietveld refinements of X-ray and neutron diffraction data, SEM and TEM, the sample compound was identified as approximately 5?nm-diameter particles of NbO(1.3(1))N(0.7(1)) crystallizing with baddeleyite-type structure. The thermal stability of this compound was studied in detail by thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis and temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction. Moreover, the electrochemical uptake and release by the galvanostatic cycling method of pure and carbon-coated NbO(1.3(1))N(0.7(1)) versus lithium was investigated as an example of an Li-free transition-metal oxynitride. The results showed that reversible capacities as high as 250 and 80?A?h? kg(-1) can be reached in voltage ranges of 0.05-3 and 1-3?V, respectively. Furthermore, a plausible mechanism for the charge-discharge reaction is proposed.

SUBMITTER: Wang XJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3528069 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature