Abstract
Li2MnO3 is of interest as one component of the composite lithium-rich oxides, which are under development for high capacity, high voltage cathodes in lithium ion batteries. Despite such practical importance, the mechanism of electrochemical activity in Li2MnO3 is contested in the literature, as are the effects of long-term electrochemical cycling. Here, Raman spectroscopy and mapping are used to follow the chemical and structural changes that occur in Li2MnO3. Both conventional slurry electrodes and thin films are studied as a function of the state of charge (voltage) and cycle number. Thin films have similar electrochemical properties as electrodes prepared from slurries, but allow for spectroscopic investigations on uniform samples without carbon additives. Spectral changes correlate well with electrochemical activity and support a mechanism whereby capacity is lost upon extended cycling due to the formation of new manganese oxide phases. Raman mapping of both thin film and slurry electrodes charged to different voltages reveals significant variation in the local structure. Poor conductivity and slow kinetics associated with a two-phase reaction mechanism contribute to the heterogeneity.
