- Previous Article
- Next Article
- Table of Contents
Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Vol.166, No.16, A4034-A4040, 2019
Electrochemical Formation of Four Al-Li Phases (beta-AlLi, Al2Li3, AlLi2-x, Al4Li9) at Intermediate Temperatures
Aluminum electrodes have been considered for use in lithium and lithium ion batteries for nearly four decades. Although the Al-Li equilibrium phase diagram contains multiple Al-Li phases, only beta-AlLi forms during room temperature cycling. Al2Li3 can be formed when electrochemically inserting Li at temperatures above 400 degrees C, and Al4Li9 is occasionally detected after extended room temperature cycling. Here, four equilibrium phases of Al-Li (beta-AlLi, Al2Li3, AlLi2-x, Al4Li9) were produced by the electrochemical lithiation and delithiation of 1100-series aluminum foil at moderate to intermediate temperatures (30-150 degrees C) using a carbonate-based electrolyte. Phase identification was performed using ex-situ X-ray diffraction and coulometry, after accounting for the consumption of lithium in electrolyte breakdown products. After overcoming an initial nucleation barrier, beta-AlLi formed at all temperatures, Al2Li3 and AlLi2-x formed at temperatures above 60 degrees C at moderate rates, and above 35 degrees C at low rates, and Al4Li9 formed at temperatures above 100 degrees C. All expected phases were also encountered during delithiation. The effects of nucleation and diffusion on observed phases and capacities are also discussed. (C) National Research Council Canada and University of Alberta 2019. Published by ECS.