Preparation and Characterization of Intermetallic Nanoparticles for Lithium Ion Batteries

Abstract:

Nanoparticles based on tin compounds and alloys have been prepared by using the polyol and/or sonochemical methods. Thus, nanoparticulated Fe1-xCoxSn2 solid solutions were prepared by using the polyol method or, alternatively, a combination of the polyol and the sonochemical methods, and the Rietveld refinements of the XRD patterns confirm the formation of the solid solutions solutions. Pure or pyrolyzed polyacrylonitrile (PAN) can be used to create a matrix that encapsulate the metallic particles and improve the electrochemical cycling behavior. Thus, MSn2@PAN (where M=Fe or Co) have been prepared by using dimethylformamide like solvent of PAN and applying high-intensity ultrasonication to achieve small particle size, poor crystallinity and high dispersion. The very small particles of MSn2 exhibit higher tendency to be oxidized in air atmosphere than the larger particles. The very small particle size of the alloy and the organic phase (PAN) contribute to stabilize the interfaces and the contacts in the electrode, as is evidenced by the electrochemical cycling and the impedance spectra. A model is proposed for the electrochemical behavior of the MSn2@PAN electrode materials. MSn2@C materials can be prepared throughout the pyrolysis of the PAN molecules matrix.

• Periodical: Journal of Nano Research (Volume 17)
• Pages: 53-65
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/JNanoR.17.53
• Online since: February 2012
• Authors: Uche G. Nwokeke, Francisco Nacimiento, José R. González, Ricardo Alcántara, José L. Tirado, Carlos Pérez-Vicente
• Keywords: Intermetallic, Lithium-Ion Battery, Nanoparticle, Polyol Method, TiN, Ultrasonication

References

[1] U.G. Nwokeke, R. Alcántara, J.L. Tirado, R. Stoyanova, M. Yoncheva, E. Zhecheva, Electron paramagnetic resonance, X-ray Diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and electrochemical studies on nanocrystalline FeSn2 obtained by reduction of salts in tetraethylene glycol, Chem. Mater. 22 (2010).

DOI: 10.1021/cm902898k

[2] U.G. Nwokeke, A.V. Chadwick, R. Alcántara, M. Alfredsson, J.L. Tirado, Nanocrystalline Fe1-xCoxSn2 solid solutions prepared by reduction of salts in tetraethylene glycol, J. Alloys Compds. 509 (2011) 3074-3079.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2010.11.202

[3] R. Alcántara, P. Lavela, C. Pérez-Vicente, J.L. Tirado, Nanostructured electrodes for lithium ion batteries, in: V.V. Kharton (Ed. ), Solid State Electrochemistry II,. Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2011, pp.383-413.

DOI: 10.1002/9783527635566.ch8

[4] F. Nacimiento, R. Alcántara, J.L. Tirado, Comparative study of composite electrodes containing tin, polyacrylonitrile and cobalt or iron, J. Power Sources 196 (2011) 2893-2898.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2010.11.034

[5] F. Nacimiento, R. Alcántara, J.L. Tirado, PAN-encapsulated nanocrystalline CoSn2 particles as negative electrode active material for lithium-ion batteries, J. Electrochem. Soc. 157 (2010) A666-A671.

DOI: 10.1149/1.3368696

[6] U.G. Nwokeke, R. Alcántara, J.L. Tirado, R. Stoyanova, E. Zhecheva, The electrochemical behavior of low-temperature synthesized FeSn2 nanoparticles as anode materials for Li-ion batteries, J. Power Sources 196 (2011) 6768-6771.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2010.10.071

[7] N.H. Chou, R.E. Schaak, Shape-controlled conversion of β-Sn nanocrystals into intermetallic M-Sn (M=Fe, Co, Ni, Pd) nanocrystals, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 129 (2007) 7339-7345.

DOI: 10.1021/ja069032y

[8] F. Nacimiento et al., Nanocrystalline CoSn2-carbon composite electrode prepared by using sonochemistry, Ultrason. Sonochem. (2011), doi: 10. 1016/j. ultrasonch. 2011. 06. 014.

[9] U.G. Nwokeke et al, FeSn2-polyacrylonitrile electrode obtained by using high-intensity ultrasonication, Electrochem. Solid-State Lett. (2011), doi: 10. 1149/1. 3611014.

DOI: 10.1149/1.3611014

[10] Y. Huai, J. Gao, Z. Deng, J. Suo, Preparation and characterization of a special structural poly(acrylonitrile)-based microporous membrane for lithium-ion batteries, Ionics 16 (2010) 603-611.

DOI: 10.1007/s11581-010-0431-4

[11] K. S. Perera, M.A.K.L. Dissanayake, S. Skaarup, K. West, Application of polyacrylonitrile-based polymer electrolytes in rechargeable lithium batteries, J. Solid State Electrochem. 12 (2008) 873–877.

DOI: 10.1007/s10008-007-0479-x

[12] G. Lecayon, Y. Bouizem, C. Le Gressus, C. Reynaud, C. Boiziau, C. Juret, Grafting and growing mechanism of polymerized organic films onto metallic surfaces, Chem. Phys. Lett. 91 (1982) 506-510.

DOI: 10.1016/0009-2614(82)83100-x