Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: We suggest that the lithiation of pristine SnO forms a layered LiXO structure, while the expelled tin atoms agglomerate into "surface" planes separating the LiXO layers. The proposed lithiation model widely differs from the common assumption that tin segregates into nanoclusters embedded in the lithia matrix. With this model, we are able to account for the various tin bonds that are seen experimentally and explain the three volume expansion phases that occur when SnO undergoes lithiation: (i) at low concentrations Li behaves as an intercalated species inducing small volume increases; (ii) for intermediate concentrations SnO transforms into lithia causing a large expansion; and (iii) finally, as the Li concentration further increases a saturation of the lithia takes place until a layered Li2O is formed. A moderate volume expansion results from this last process. We also report a "zipper" nucleation mechanism that could provide the seed for the transformation from tin oxide to lithium oxide.
DOI: 10.1021/am506108s
Authors: Andreas Pedersen, Mathieu Luisier
Institutions: ETH Zurich, Integrated Systems Laboratory
Language: English
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: European Research Council
OpenAlex ID: W2020754218